ICC Champions Trophy 2017: 5 reasons why Bangladesh can beat India in the semi-finals

The ICC Champions Trophy has been a spectacle with some sparkling encounters among the eight participating sides. Albeit, rain turned out to be a spoilsport in some of the games, there’s wasn’t any dearth of excitement surrounding the group games.

India and Bangladesh face off in the second semi-final in Birmingham and the game promises to be a thriller. While the odds are stacked against Bangladesh, India will start as favourites to win the game. Nonetheless, Bangladesh have the potential to spring in a surprise and book a berth in the Final on Sunday.

Extra cover: ICC Champions Trophy 2017: 5 reasons why India can’t be complacent against Bangladesh

As we move along, we take you through the reasons why Bangladesh has every chance of causing an upset in the all-important clash.

#5 Tamim Iqbal’s form

Having experienced players in the armoury is always an added advantage while going into a high-voltage World tournament like the Champions Trophy. Bangladesh had one in the name of Tamim Iqbal, who has turned out to be an important batsman in the top order.

Apart from the duck against New Zealand, the left- handed opener has been in sublime form in the other games. Along with power-hitting prowess, he has displayed eagerness to shoulder a chunk of the responsibility by playing according to the situation.

During his knock of 95 against Australia, wickets fell around him, but Tamim held one end up and helped Bangladesh post a fighting total on the board. Bangladesh will want another matured knock from the Chittagong batsman in order to topple India.

#4 Ability to absorb pressure by their batsmen

Bangladesh have a solid middle order should things go wrong at the top

With the backs to the walls, some teams crumble under pressure while others rise to the occasion. Bangladesh, especially their batsmen, have shown a resolute and gritty character against the big boys of world cricket, which is commendable, to say the least.

The middle-order has experienced heads in the form of Shakib-Al-Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad and it has paid dividends for the Tigers. Against New Zealand, they not only pulled their team out of a disastrous position, but also ensured that they won the match comprehensively.

The Indian bowling attack has performed well in the tournament and Bangladesh will be put under pressure by Men in Blue’s bowling repertoire. However, Bangladesh have the players, who can take the steam out of India’s bowlers.

#3 Giant-killers on the big stage

The Tigers have caused a few upsets in ICC Tournaments and will hope to do that again

Bangladesh might not have won any big tournaments, but they have sparked moments of brilliance from time to time to knock teams out of the tournament. During the 2007 World Cup, they stunned India in their first group match, which eventually led to the latter’s exit.

During the 2007 World T20, West Indies stumbled to a defeat against Bangladesh and failed to qualify for the next stage. Bangladesh’s most significant win came against England during the 2015 World Cup Down Under as they showed them the exit door before the quarter-finals.

Though India are stronger on paper and on form, the pressure of a must-win game may get to their nerves and Bangladesh have all the qualities to cash in on the big moment.

#2 Dark-horses: A tag devoid of expectations

Bangladesh will be the under-dogs against India and that could take off the pressure

India are firm favourites to win the tournament and rightly so taking into account the stupendous level at which they played in the league games. Expectations will be high from Virat Kohli’s men to turn over Bangladesh and storm into the finals.

Bangladesh, on the contrary, will be playing their first ever Champions Trophy semi-final game and quite expectantly, they will be the underdogs. However, the tag can work to their advantage as it allows a team to play freely with less burden on the shoulders.

While the cricketing fraternity would expect India to beat Bangladesh, Mashrafe Mortaza’s men would be straining every muscle in registering a historic win against and make their way into the Finals of the ICC Champions Trophy.

#1 Part-timer bowlers: No Pushovers

Bangladesh’s part-timers will be key

Also known as Men with Golden Arms, the part time bowlers are a crucial element of a bowling line up apart from the main bowlers. Batsmen tend to drop their guard against them, which leads to their downfall as they fall prey to the part timers.

During the crucial juncture of the tournament, Bangladesh has found one in right-arm off-break bowler Mosaddek Hossain Saikat. In Bangladesh’s must-win encounter against New Zealand, Mosaddek ripped the heart out of the Kiwis’ middle order with three vital scalps in just three overs.

India have a strong batting line-up and Bangladesh can afford very few blemishes with the ball. Nevertheless, they have the ammunition to make India stutter and the part-timers’ role will be of high importance if Bangladesh have to storm into the ascendancy.