Champions Trophy: Can Bangladesh spoil our chances for an #IndVsPak finale?
Historically, whenever India takes on Bangladesh, for the average Indian cricket fan it is not really much of a "contest". For many in India, the Bangladesh team are pushovers, minnows et al. So, when the two go head-to-head in the all-important semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 at Edgbaston, Birmingham on June 15, India, without a doubt, will be the clear favourites.
On paper, and man to man, Bangladesh are no match for India, and the Men in Blue look far stronger in every department, be it batting, bowling or fielding. An in-form Shikhar Dhawan, the always in-form Virat Kohli, a returning Ravichandra Ashwin - surely Bangladesh are no match for the mighty Men in Blue?
However, the Bangladesh team are far from being pushovers and Team India must not be complacent at all.
So far in the series, India have recorded two victories and one defeat - they beat South Africa comprehensively in their last outing, defeated a rather hapless Pakistan by 124 runs in the series opener (by Duckworth-Lewis method), while losing to Sri Lanka at The Oval even after scoring above 300.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh, in their series opener, lost to England but put up a tough fight. Although the Tigers, as Bangladesh are fondly referred to, were lucky against Australia to nick a point staring in the face of defeat, their brilliant performance against New Zealand was no feat of luck.
Chasing New Zealand's score of 266, the Tigers were reeling at 33-4 before centuries from Mahmadullah and Shakib al Hasan knocked New Zealand out of the Champions Trophy.
Virat Kohli's men, so far, have been clinical on all fronts - batting, bowling, fielding; their only weakness (as has been the case historically) was their lacklustre bowling display against Sri Lanka. The Lankans were able to chase what looked like a more-than-respectable total of 321 rather comfortably. So much so that except for Bhuvneshvar Kumar no bowler in the Indian team took any wickets (two Lankan batsmen were run out).
Bangladesh, in their three games so far, have scored a 300-above total twice, which is ample proof of their batting prowess. The Indian team would be aware of this fact and would be equally wary of the Tigers' star batsman Tamim Iqbal (who's already scored two centuries in the tournament), veteran all-rounder Shakib Al-Hasan (scored a match-winning century against NZ), among others.
If India's bowling line-up comes up short, like it did against Sri Lanka, it would play into the hands of the Bangaldesh team — to their strength.
A look at recent clashes between the two teams also points to the fact that Bangladesh have been worthy opponents. In fact, in the last five matches, the two are evenly matched with two wins apiece, with one match being washed out due to rain.
In recent years, the Bangladesh team has somewhat shattered the tag of "minnows" associated with it. They beat India in an ODI home series in 2015, and lost by one run in a World T20 game last year.
Undoubtedly, India are the far superior side going into Thursday's clash, but as former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar said: "This is a great opportunity for Bangladesh to emerge from the shadows and establish itself as a serious contender for higher honours, and that is how it must and will approach the semi-final against India..."
As I write this, Pakistan have made it to the Champions Trophy final by comprehensively finishing off England. The gentleman's game has turned upside down - the colonies are winning, it seems; and how!
Can Bangladesh pull off the ultimate upset and play spoilsport in the epic made-for-TV grand India vs Pakistan finale?
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