New Delhi: A good captain is who leads by example, even in defeats. That's what we got to see in the previous two matches of the Asia Cup 2016. Besides captains' stories, there were enough protagonists in those encounters.


COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

Let's look at five players who are likely to make an impact in the outcome of today's match between Bangladesh and United Arab Emirates (UAE):


Mashrafe Mortaza: Bangladesh lost to India, and in that defeat, their skipper Mashrafe Mortaza tried to conjour up something special to help his team's cause. After removing Virat Kohli, he was fired up, rightly so. But he failed to keep the fire burning, and ended up conceding 40 runs from his four overs. A better spell, in the middle overs, from him could have forced an issue out of the match.


He will be more than eager to rectify that against Amjad Javed and his boys.


Amjad Javed: In contrast, in the second match, United Arab Emirates skipper Amjad Javed produced a dream-spell to give themselves a realistic chance against Sri Lanka. His figures of 4-0-25-3 did restrict the heavyweights to 129, but that wasn't enough.


He will be ever more inspired to repeat the performance.


Shakib Al Hasan: He is the biggest star entering the field today. From all the experience he has gained thus far from playing in various leagues, the all-rounder has the reputation of being a match-winner. After dropping Rohit Sharma early in the innings, Shakib had a poor outing with the willow as well.


Stage is perfect for him to perform, with both bat and ball.


Mustafizur Rahman: If Shakib is the star, then the young pace bowler is the future. After making a series of impressive outings against top sides like India, South Africa and Pakistan, the 20-year-old failed miserably against India where he leaked 40 runs in his wicket-less spell.


He, being a good learning, is expected to make amends.


Swapnil Patil: The wicketkeeper-batsman was never in the radar. But he played a calm innings in a losing cause against Lanka yesterday. And once again, he is expected to play a definitive role in UAE's rear-guard action against the hosts.