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Bangladesh will play quarters or semis in ODI WC: Ganguly


Published : 24 Feb 2023 07:57 PM

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly believes Bangladesh has a chance to reach the quarter-finals or semi-finals of the next ODI World Cup, which will be held in India

Ganguly travelled to Bangladesh as a special guest on Thursday to attend the Mayor Cup opening ceremony. Sourav expressed his hopes for Bangladesh's success in World Cup, he praised all-rounder Shakib al Hasan, stalwart Mushfiqur Rahim and young talent Najmul Hossain Shanto.

"Yesterday I said that Bangladesh got so much talent, which is worth seeing in cricket. In bowling-batting, there are all-rounders like Shakib, there is Mushfiqur, and now Shanto. I always follow Bangladesh cricket and glad to see their success," Ganguly told media.

"I have high expectations. Expecting that they will reach the quarter-final or semi-final. If there is a bit of luck and form. If the specialist spinners and pacers are in form, they can go further," he said.

"The thing is that whenever I come to Bangladesh, I get the love of so many people that I don't know whether I am in India or Bangladesh. I thank them for showing me so much love." Ganguly told the media.

Ganguly last visited Bangladesh in 2014 during the T20 World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka, which was won by Sri Lanka.

"As far as I remember, I first came here in 1989 with the U-19 side for the Asia Cup and from then on the relationship grew with Bangladesh. I have many friends here. You have heard of Mithu [BCB director Iftekhar Rahman] and he was my friend from those days. I did not come here for ten years but I have met his family and friends in various parts of the world," he said.

He further shared his memory of playing the first Test match as captain against Bangladesh in 2000. 

"My first Test match as captain came on Bangladesh soil. My name will be attached to Bangladesh's cricket history since it was Bangladesh's first Test match and my first as India's Test captain. I still remember the Bangabandhu Stadium. When I got into the dressing room I was thinking 'what's this, will I lose my first game as captain?' But we came back to win the Test," he said.