Dhoni expects 'good final'

At least in home conditions, Bangladesh have come out of the shadow of 'minnows' and present themselves as potent threat, which shows in their wins against Sri Lanka and Pakistan en route to the 2016 Asia Cup final.

 

Under Mashrafe Mortaza, who likes to lead from the front, Bangladesh have transformed into a dangerous limited-overs team. And if that status was argued in the T20 arena, the team has rectified it in the Asia Cup, reports the IBNLive.

 

Players like Taskin Ahmed, Sabbir Rahman and World Cup-hero Mahmudullah have come into their own when loaded with responsibility– which has allowed establishes stars Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahman and Mortaza to play without much pressure.

 

But the skipper wants the team to come back to the ground from their leaps following the win against Pakistan.

 

"The final is still to be played. I advise everyone to keep their feet on the ground and play their natural game. I ask them not to take any extra pressure," Mortaza was quoted.

 

Mortaza credited the 'confidence' from a good home season for his team's giant-killing run into the final.

 

"The players had confidence and it worked. We will try to give our best [in the final]. If we can, it will be a great game."

 

The Bangla Tigers will need all that confidence in the final, where they will meet a different beast in India.

 

MS Dhoni's team has been on a roll, winning 9 of their last 10 T20Is, which includes an ongoing 6-match unbeaten run.

 

It's been a perfect build-up for India, who will host the ICC World Twenty beginning March 8. And the team make-up, which includes six all-rounders, is what you want to see in a T20 unit.

 

Batting is not just well settled but firing as well. Ashish Nehra's return is only short of becoming a folklore and the spinners led by R Ashwin are applying the choke they are famous for on slow and low subcontinent tracks.

 

But Dhoni expects a "good final" based on how Bangladesh are playing and the home support they enjoy.

 

"We will have to come up with another big performance in the final. Bangladesh are a good team and they have improved a lot. It should be a good final," Dhoni has said.

 

"Any good team, if they are the home team, they will always know the conditions very well. So to beat a home team is always difficult. Also Bangladesh, over the years has developed a lot. They have improved their strength.

 

The skipper has stressed on the unpredictability of the T20 format and how a good day can turn into a winning day for the team.

 

"A lot depends on which team plays better cricket. This format the difference between the two teams can often be just one knock, one individual having a very good day or one bowler having a very good day. The difference between a good team and not-so-good team can be just a performance on that particular day," the Indian skipper said.

 

Dhoni then stressed on the importance of his team, indicating that they have all bases covered.

 

"We now have three proper seamers, two spinners and if needed part-timers. I think it is the right combination. And even if you go for a few extra runs, with the batting that we have-- till No. 8, I think we can look to get those extra runs if the opposition scores off us. So I think this team is set for playing in any conditions, whether you are playing in India or outside India. It looks like a very balanced team."