Ahead of Bangladesh’s showdown in the final of the ongoing Twenty-20 tri-series against India on Sunday (March 18), Shakib Al Hasan has said that they have put the last-over fracas versus Sri Lanka behind them and are fully focussed on the all-important final.

The Shakib Al Hasan led Bangladesh side had defeated Sri Lanka by two wickets in a knockout clash on Friday (March 16), but the game was spoiled by heated exchanges between both sets of players in a dramatic final over. Consequently, Shakib and the substitute Nurul Hasan were fined 25 percent of their match fee by the International Cricket Council for bad behaviour. Both players earned a demerit point as well.

“Let what happened yesterday remain like that. We don’t want to bring it up today or in tomorrow’s game. Let us just focus on the final. The two cricket boards have good relation for the last 10-15 years. Players have great relations too. We are all okay with it,” Shakib said in the pre-match press conference.

Bangladesh – ranked 10th in the ICC T20I rankings are yet to beat India in the shortest format of the game. When asked whether their Twenty-20 losses against India are a case of mental block, Shakib said: “I would hope that none of our players have that mental block. It would help us to play well. If we think it is a big final against India, then it is pressure.”

Bangladesh have never won a T20I tournament since they started playing the format in 2006. However, Shakib is confident that his side will go into the final with a positive mindset.

It is important to be mentally free to do well in T20s. I hope no one takes any pressure, and stays focused on the process,” Shakib concluded.

It is worth mentioning here that the Rohit Sharma led Indian side have beaten Bangladesh in both the league matches of this Twenty-20 tri-series. While the Men in Blue have won the first clash against Bangladesh by 6 wickets, they have won the second one by 17 runs.