Team effort takes Bangladesh to historic final
Bangladesh made it to the final of the Asia Cup, defying pre-tournament expectations with consecutive victories against their more fancied neighbours
Bangladesh made it to the final of the Asia Cup, defying pre-tournament expectations with consecutive victories against their more fancied neighbours
Scorer: M Venkat Raghav | Commentator: Abhishek Purohit
So Bangladesh will meet Pakistan day after in the Asia Cup final. Do join us then, for the moment this is Abhishek Purohit signing off. Have a look at Kanishkaa Balachandran's match report, and log on for stories from Siddarth Ravindran and Mohammad Isam later. And all Bangladesh fans, savour the taste of a well-deserved victory. Bidae nicchhi
Shakib Al Hasan, wearing a tall Bangladesh-flag-coloured cap, is the Man of the Match. Shakib: "The way we expected our crowd to support us, they did exactly that. We have been consistent throught the tournament. Hopefully we will put up a good show in the final. Nazmul bowled really well, he came back after two-three months, it is not easy to do well. Nasir and Mahmudullah played terrific innings, their partnership won us the game. We have found some players who can win matches for us."
Mushfiqur Rahim: "It has been a great tournament for us. Everyone chipped in. Nazmul Hossain did well, that set up the game. We had a stiff target after the rain, but Shakib and Tamim batted well. There are five or six people performing in every game. The final is one of the biggest achievements in our cricketing history. Hopefully we will cross that hurdle. It is a great boost to have the crowd supporting you."
Mahela Jayawardene: "We did not play to our potential, quite a few mistakes, never got into a rhythm, Bangladesh played very well today, they created opportunities from the start. We felt the wicket was much slower, it came on better after the rain. We had our opportunity when they were 135 for 5, but some wayward bowling gave it away. It was a team effort from Bangladesh. Always going to be tough when you play Bangladesh at home."
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stands up and applauds, Nasir Hossain screams in delight, Shakib Al Hasan is the first to run out of the dressing room. The team are taking a lap of the Shere Bangla, Bangladesh flags waving proudly all around. They have taken out both the World Cup 2011 finalists and came close to beating former ODI world champions Pakistan. Massive moment for Bangladesh. No one gave them a chance in the lead-up to this tournament. They have made a mess of all predictions. At 135 for 5, the Bangladesh of old would have folded. Not this Bangladesh team though. They did it in their frenetic way at the top, but look no further than Nasir Hossain for one of the coolest young heads going around.
Coming on the back of a gruelling tri-series in Australia, Sri Lanka have looked flat, jaded and out of sorts.
Shenbagaraja: "Victory for bangladesh against any team is no longer an upset!!!"
Nasir Hossain has built his reputation as a finisher in domestic cricket. Less than a year into his international career, he is showing signs of how comfortable he is with that role
Bangladesh have chased down India and Sri Lanka in the space of a few days, proving that they are an evolving team
The celebrations were not restrained in Bangladesh after they made the final, but Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal said they were not yet finished
Mahela Jayawardene's Sri Lankans have gone from tournament favourites to disappointment in less than two weeks
ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the Asia Cup group match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, in Mirpur