||Desk Report||

Apart from thinking about filling the voids created by the absence of Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh have other worries ahead of their Asia Cup final match against India. They have so far had the middle-order at their disposal as their top-order failed make its presence felt.

However, in their group match against Afghanistan and in the Super Four clash against India, the middle-order certainly could not salvage the pride of the Tigers as they suffered back-to-back thrashings at the hands of their Asian neighbors.

Mashrafe is well aware of the fact that the batsmen, who have failed to strike the right notes in this tournament so far, certainly cannot rectify their flaws at the eleventh hour. However, he is optimistic that the top-order of the team will mount a comeback in this one crucial game.

He said: “It [middle-order collapse] happened in the [group match] against Afghanistan. However, if we keep losing wickets in this manner, it becomes an additional pressure on the middle-order.

“The middle-order won’t play well every time. Hopefully, the top-order will click and if that doesn’t happen, they [the middle-order] will have to play. Thinking about it will make any difference.

“There is nothing to do midway through the tournament. We do not have the time to work on technical aspects.”

Bangladesh will miss the services of Shakib in the spin-bowling department when they take on India in Dubai, which has been the home base for the Men in Blue throughout this tournament. Mashrafe, however, wants to fight with all the arrows left in his quiver and go for the best possible outcome.