Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim said their eyes are now on the title, having confirmed a berth in the Asia Cup final.
The Tigers registered a 37-run win over two-time Asia Cup champion Pakistan and met their primary ambition of playing the final of the tournament.
The team, ahead of departing Dhaka for UAE earlier this month, had declared their target of playing in the final.
The target was met after defeating Pakistan in a virtual knockout game in Abu Dhabi Wednesday.
Both Bangladesh and Pakistan were on equal points in the Super Four phase, and the winner were to progress to the final.
The Tigers defying all odds emerged as the winner and reach their third Asia Cup final in the last four editions.
Bangladesh will face India in the championship decider Friday at Dubai International Stadium.
“Of course it is possible (to win the title). People live in dream and hope. And this was our target before the Asia Cup, that we at least make the final. Then in the championship match if we play our best cricket, then what will happen, will happen. Since we have worked this hard and come this far, we of course have a chance,” said Mushfiq to the media Wednesday.
“If we can play our best cricket, then beating India is not impossible – we’ve done it before. Maybe we have not done it as consistently as we would have liked. But at the same time we should not forget that they are one of the world’s top two teams. I think if we can play our best cricket then Inshallah it is possible to pressurise them too, and it is possible to win the match and become champion,” said a confident Mushfiq.
Bangladesh’s major concern in the tournament has been the lack of good starts with the bat.
The Tigers continued to miss out on the services of regular opener Tamim Iqbal due to injury and ever since his absence, have been struggling to get off to a sound start with the charge given to young and inexperienced shoulders.
The lack of batting depth in the top-order was exposed and with all-rounder Shakib al Hasan getting ruled out owing to injury too, the troubles only increased for the men in red and green.
Mushfiq however, is confident of a turnaround from the batting group in the final against India, and cashing in on the mistakes committed by the opposition.
“Confidence is there although we haven’t played our best yet, I feel, in the three departments. We have been struggling in the batting group in the top-order. If we click there against India – and you know India are playing outstanding cricket in this tournament, but they are also human beings and they are bound to make mistakes. So I think if we can put up a good score on the board, probably we can pressurise them. If we are chasing a good score, and get off to a good start then hopefully we can pull it off. That’s one thing we hope we can achieve in this tournament,” Mushfiq explained.
