Asia Cup 2018: Bangladesh's best XI for the Final

Bangladesh, in pursuit of their maiden multinational tournament win, face India who have roadblocked them in four of their eight attempts.

Bangladesh's journey so far in this Asia Cup has been a topsy-turvy one. They began their campaign with a bang as they annihilated Sri Lanka by 137 runs in their first game of the tournament before succumbing to a similar fate against Afghanistan.

In their first super four match, they were totally outplayed by India as they were handed a seven-wicket defeat by India.

In their next match against Afghanistan, Mustafizur's outstanding bowling gave Bangladesh an improbable victory as he defended 8 runs off the last over to keep Bangladesh's hopes alive.

In the next match, their bowlers finally clicked as they successfully defended 240 in a do-or-die encounter against Pakistan. Mustafizur was the pick of the bowlers as his figures read 10-2-43-4. The fact that their win against Pakistan came in the absence of their two most experienced campaigners, Tamim and Shakib, makes it even more moralizing.

The last challenge comes in the form of India, the unbeaten team of the tournament.

Bangladesh do not have the best of records playing against India as they have won only 5 of the 34 ODI games between them. And even in the present scenario, India look quite formidable.

But a final showdown is a different ballgame altogether as pressure can do funny things.

Here is Bangladesh's best playing XI that might lineup against India on September 28.

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Openers

Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar

Soumya Sarkar might still be preferred in the finale

The Bangladeshi openers have had a horrid tournament so far. With the opening partnership never breaching 20, the onus has always been on the middle order to do the bulk of the scoring. With Tamim being ruled out of the tournament, the Bangladeshi opening department has been very fragile.

While Liton has played all the 5 games, he has just 60 runs to his name. Whilst Bangladesh also persisted with Nazmul Hussain Shanto for the opening duties, he never got going as he could score only 20 runs in his 3 outings. Soumya Sarkar, who was later added to the squad, got only a game - against Pakistan where he departed for naught. It should not affect his place in the playing XI considering the fact that it was his first match and none of the top 3 could score in that game.

Middle Order

Imrul Kayes, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mohammad Mithun

Mushfiqur Rahim is among the highest run-getters in the tournament

The job the Bangladesh middle order has done has been commendable. After the top order has failed in every occasion, the middle order has delivered. Mushfiqur Rahim along with Mohammad Mithun has performed the rescue act twice in five occasions. With 297 runs in 4 games, Rahim is the tournament's second-highest run-getter.

Mohammad Mithun has shown maturity in his performance and has not crumbled in pressure situations.

With Shakib not playing the final, Imrul Kayes can be promoted to no. 3 as he has the potential to play in the top order.

All-rounders

Mehidy Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain, and Mahmudullah

Mahmudullah will have the responsibility to deliver in the final

Albeit not with the bat, Mehidy Hasan and Mahmudullah have delivered with the ball. Aside from being economical, they have also been among the wickets too. The onus is on them to deliver in the big game.

After a string of poor performances, Mosaddek was dropped from the fixture against Pakistan.

He might well be seen in the finals as he provides an extra bowling option to the team.

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Bowlers

Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman and Mashrafe Mortaza (C)

Mustafizur has been outstanding in the last two games

With 8 wickets after 4 games, Mustafizur is the second highest wicket taker of the tournament. He has a successful history against Rohit as he dismissed him in all the three ODI games when India toured Bangladesh in 2015.

After successfully defending 8 off the last over against Afghanistan, he dismantled Pakistan's batting with a four-fer. He has been the torch bearer for Bangladesh this Asia Cup and the same sort of performance is expected of him in the final.

While Mortaza has not been too economical, he has chipped in with vital wickets. He has picked 5 wickets in 5 games.

With the aim to register their maiden tournament title everyone's attention would be on Mortaza's captaincy too.