Abu Dhabi: Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza says his injury-struck side will have to improve a bit in all departments to challenge India in the Asia Cup final here on Friday.
Bangladesh stunned Pakistan by 37 runs in the last Super Four match on Wednesday night to set up a summit clash with defending champions India.
"We always know that India are a serious side. We still need to improve a bit of our batting and bowling," Mortaza said after the match.
"We will be missing Shakib (Al Hasan) and Tamim (Iqbal) but the boys have showed character and one match to go, and hopefully the boys will play hard," he added.
Shakib flew back to Bangladesh after aggravating a finger injury, while Tamim was ruled out of the Asia Cup after fracturing his hand in the opening match.
Praising his team for the crucial win, Mortaza said: "The bowlers did a good job, especially when we didn't get the runs. I think we changed our combination a bit. Usually I open the bowling, but today we started with (Mehidy Hasan) Miraz.
"Mushi (Mushfiqur Rahim) and (Mohammad) Mithun batted really well."
Mortaza's blinder of a catch at mid-wicket to dismiss Shoaib Malik off Rubel Hossain's bowling in the 21st over was one of the turning points of the match.
"I was lucky that I didn't drop my catch, because Shoaib Malik was in such good form, but all over the fielding was really good," Mortaza said.
"Long time we haven't seen this quality of fielding in our time, so hopefully the boys can understand the value of good fielding."
Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed took the blame for his side's loss after they ended with 202/9 while chasing a victory target of 240.
"Not feeling good, the performance wasn't good. As a captain, I didn't do well. So I think as a team and as a captain, I didn't lead well," Sarfraz said.
"We didn't field well, our batting collapsed and as a team we didn't do well in any department.
"Fakhar was our main player, Shadab (Khan) and (Mohammad) Nawaz had opportunities, but we need to play well if we need to win against good teams. Our batting collapse hurt us. Shaheen (Afridi) is our plus point."
Pakistan were reduced to 18/3 in 3.3 overs. Though Imam-ul-Haq (83) kept them in the hunt, stitching two crucial partnerships with Malik (30) and Asif Ali (31), it was Bangladesh who had the last laugh.
