Asia Cup 2018: Bangladesh’s probable XI for the final

The most prestigious cricketing event of Asia is nearing its conclusion. Four out of the participating six teams are out of the tournament.

Now, the grand finale is waiting for the spectators in which Bangladesh will take on the defending Asian champions India on Friday at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Bangladesh made their way to the final by defeating Pakistan on Wednesday in a topsy-turvy contest. Pakistan were ahead of the Tigers at the halfway mark of the virtual semi-final, but Bangladesh outshot Sarfraz Ahmed's men in style. Mushfiqur Rahim was the best of Bangladesh's batting line. He proved his merit once again in a rescue act, and Mustafizur Rahman was tremendous while bowling as he took four scalps.

However, Bangladesh's way to the final was not easy. They beat Sri Lanka in the tournament opener comfortably but failed to defeat Afghanistan in the group phase before outshooting the same side in the Super Four stage. The Men in Red-and-Green made the Asia Cup finals for the third time in four editions and are hoping for something big this time around. Before the final battle for the excellence of Asian cricket, let's see the probable XI of Bangladesh for the final against India.

---

#1 Openers (Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar)

Bangladeshi openers are in the bad patch during the Asia Cup

For the second time in the tournament, Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar might open the innings for Bangladesh. They played the same role against Pakistan in the virtual semi-final of the event, but they were unable to do something big for the team.

But, Bangladesh's team management might rely on them once again. Liton played all of Bangladesh's matches in the tournament and only once did he pass double-digits score. It means Liton is out of touch for a long time now. Still, he might get another chance at the top of the order. Soumya, on the other hand, played only a match and failed to score anything. Despite doing nothing, he might get another chance because Bangladesh have no other option after the injury to Tamim Iqbal.

#2 Middle order (Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun)

Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun are the main batsmen of Bangladesh's middle order

Shakib Al Hasan was the man who was set to bat at 3, but he suffered further blows on his injured finger and was ruled out from the tournament. So, the number 3 is open for Mominul Haque now.

Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun will continue following Mominul. They played superbly against Sri Lanka when Bangladesh lost three wickets in two overs as Mushfiqur hit his career-best 144 and Mithun registered his maiden ODI fifty.

Mushfiqur and Mithun did the same against Pakistan. When Bangladesh lost some early wickets, they made a stand of 144 runs, and that proved to be too good for Pakistan to chase it down. Bangladesh produced a competitive target of 240 runs courtesy the 144-run stand of Mushfiqur and Mithun, and Pakistan failed to chase it down.

#3 All-rounders and a spinner (Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Nazmul Islam Apu)

With the unavailability of Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladeshi all-rounders should step up in the final

Bangladesh might drop Imrul Kayes for the final and include the left-handed spinner Nazmul Islam Apu. He might be in the team with two all-rounders Mahmudullah Riyad and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

If Bangladesh team management thinks that playing a left-handed spinner might not be tough for a team like India who are usually good against spinners, they might keep Imrul in the eleven, and he will be in at 6.

With Shakib's absence, Bangladesh will heavily rely on Mahmudllah and Mehidy to bowl and play the rule of all-rounders. They were up to the mark against Pakistan.

#4 Pacers (Mashrafe Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain)

Mustafizur should play a pivotal rule in the final against India

There will be no change in Bangladesh's pace bowling attack in the Asia Cup final. Mashrafe will commence the strike while Mustafizur and Rubel will follow him.

There was a buzz that Mashrafe will skip the final due to an injury on his finger that occurred against Pakistan. But, the updated news is that he will not miss the chance to play in the finals of the Asia Cup.

Mustafizur has been superb in the Asia Cup but, Rubel Hossain is still to find his rhythm in UAE. Despite his lean performance in the event, Bangladesh will rely on his experience in the grand finale.