Mashrafe remains calm amidst a storm

`Jai Bangla` was the greeting of choice amongst the many present at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

Journalists morphed into the thousands of fans as pandemonium broke out in the press box.

Outside the gates, more than an hour after the game had finished, there were a few thousand more waiting on, cheering on as they formed a guard of honour on the road before the team bus left, Times Of India reports.

There was chaos when a few realised that the team could actually make their way out through another exit. Empty water drums became... well just drums. Policemen waved their lathis around generally in the direction of anyone around them as they tried to control chaos.

If you had come in late, you would have been forgiven if you`d assumed that Bangladesh had won a World Cup.

But they had only beaten Pakistan in a group game of the Asia Cup to qualify for the final. Banalities such as these don`t matter to the fans when it comes to famous wins.

And famous it was. Just ask anyone in Dhaka.

"One of the best I would say. There are so many matches which were really important for Bangladesh cricket. As far as T20 is concerned, it is one of the biggest win," said Mashrafe Mortaza the Bangladesh captain and just then you could almost feel a lot of bubbles being burst in the press conference.

The journalists were probably expecting Mortaza to take his shirt off and do a celebratory run. They would have cheered him on. But Mortaza remained a far cry from it all.

"I am very normal. I am very normal," declared a staid Mortaza. "If I speak about feeling good, every win is good. We are playing the final so this is a lot more fun. But honestly speaking I am still normal. I don`t know what will happen afterwards."

One could only marvel at the cocoon that Mortaza was cooped up in. The attitude was probably what helped him in hitting a couple of crucial boundaries when the run-rate was creeping up.

He walked in a position higher than he usually would. It was a decision made by the coach Chandika Hathurasinghe, Mortaza revealed later. Every run was being cheered on by a crowd packed to the seams.

Even the Prime Minister was in attendance for the game. Later on there would be a minister greeted by the throngs of fans on the road. Mortaza probably did not see any of these scenes.

It helped staying away from it all. And he wants nothing but more of the same.

"I will say that (final) is another big match, I won`t say anything about winning or losing. I would say we have to enjoy each other`s company the way we have been doing in and out of the ground. We have to take the best preparation and obviously we will try our best on the field. Lets see what happens.

"After winning three matches the boys are confident, but I will still tell everyone to be grounded and will request everyone not to create any unnecessary pressure," he implored, "Because no one was sure that we would play the final. Thanks to the boys. We will try to play our best."

The celebrations raged on the streets of Dhaka hours after the victory. Bangladesh have always savoured victories against Pakistan.

For a blinded few, victories such as these are seen as answers to political and historical tensions between the two countries.

For many more though, the joy of victory is just cricket-driven. Bangladesh are a side on the rise in the international circuit.

While their ODI victories have in recent times forced opponents to see them in a new light, the T20I performances did not match up to the same standard.

Against Pakistan they now have successive T20I victories. After beating Sri Lanka in the previous game, Bangladesh are now amongst the top two teams in the Asia Cup.

They have a chance to get to the top spot. And there is the bigger context of the victories strengthening their preparations for the World T20.

Bangladesh have had famous wins before, but not consistent ones. Thus, this victory is different and sweeter for the parched fans.

There is genuine recognition and praise coming from all parts of the cricketing world.

"Bangladesh are a fine side, especially when they are playing at home. They have some really good fast bowlers, some really smart fast bowlers. Especially Taskin. I thought he bowled really well. They are growing, growing with the time. They are getting better and better. Good for them," said Waqar Younis.

Revelry such as this is an all-too familiar sight in many parts of India, Pakistan and other parts of the sub-continent.

Bangladesh has never been short on support but gradually, in a strange reversal, the supporters are being backed up by team performances as well.

The need for calm heads such as Mortaza`s will probably get higher in value in due course.

But for now, it is his job to shepherd the team, fence them from pressures and extract performances. And it won`t be a stretch to say that he`s doing a damn good job of it.