SPORTS EDGE

Cricket
Star Cricket Asia Cup
Tigers play Pakistan today
Sports Reporter

Bangladesh vice-captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (R) runs up to bowl as teammate Shahadat Hossain returns to his mark during a training session at the National Bank of Pakistan ground in Karachi yesterday. Photo: AFPBangladesh have a chance to spoil Pakistan's chances of making it to the final when they play their last Asia Cup Super League match at the Karachi National Stadium yesterday.If Bangladesh upset Pakistan, it will not matter what happens in Thursday's crucial match as both India and Sri Lanka would make it to the final with higher points tally.But if India lose to Sri Lanka and Pakistan beat Bangladesh, Pakistan go through. This scenario will have both India and Pakistan tied at four points, but Pakistan would head into the final by virtue of more wins in the Super Four stage.If either of the India-Sri Lanka or Pakistan-Bangladesh games is tied or has a no-result, then Pakistan won't be able to catch up with India on points, and will be out of the final.But the match could end up becoming inconsequential if India beat Sri Lanka.The Tigers have so far had a poor tournament as they could muster only one victory, that too against United Arab Emirates in their opening first round match. But individually and especially the batsmen, the Tigers have done well.Captain Mohammad Ashraful and comeback man Alok Kapali have both notched up centuries while almost every top-order batsmen have made some sort of mark in the tournament. Tamim Iqbal made a couple of half-centuries while Rokibul Hasan remained consistent. Nazimuddin made 40 against Sri Lanka in the Tigers' last outing and confirmed that his place will not go up for grabs with left-handers Shahriar Nafees and Mehrab Hossain waiting in the wings.But a change in bowling can be a reality as Mosharraf Hossain could be given a chance.