No one sees Bangladesh as a favorite, no one. However, Tigers’ leader Mashrafe Bin Mortaza is seeing this as an advantage for Bangladesh. He believes the World Cup has given a huge scope to change the concept of Tigers ability in 50-over cricket.
Booking a quarter-finals berth in the World Cup was Bangladesh’s best success so far in the tourney. That success came in the group stage of the 2015 World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand. Then they secured a semi-finals spot of the 2017 Champions Trophy, with this they proved their previous success in the World Cup was not a hoax. As in the Champions Trophy there were strong teams like England, Australia and New Zealand in Tigers’ group phase.
Recently, Bangladesh has won the tri-series in Ireland. They were the unbeaten champion of that multination series. Yet, this year, Bangladesh are not being considered as a favorite to seal at least a semi final berth at the World Cup. However, the Tiger skipper wants his teammates to shock the world of cricket, that too from the first match against South Africa on June 2.
Talking to the media, Mashrafe said, “If you want to know about the World Cup final from cricket experts, analysts and former cricketers, none of them will say our name. I think if we can perform more than ever before, then we can bring some changes in that regard. This is a great opportunity for us.”
Tigers have no shortage of experience in this year's team. Mashrafe, ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, dashing opener Tamim Iqbal and wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim are all going to play their fourth World Cup. Each of them has the experience of winning big matches in the World Cup. They were all in team that experienced famous wins to knock out India and England in 2007 and 2015 World Cup respectively.
Mashrafe, who is standing in front of his last World Cup, said, “We have to work really hard and we have to find out whether we are ready for what we want to achieve. Sometimes the best teams cannot even make the semifinals. So there is no pressure on us to win the World Cup or to play the semifinals. We just want to play well.”
Cricket experts may not be keeping Bangladesh as favorites, but former Tiger leader Mushfiqur Rahim believes that Bangladesh can reach at least the last four. Since the World Cup will be played on round robin format.
Mushfiq, who is optimistic about the current Tigers roster, said, “Because of the presence of many experienced players, this is the strongest World Cup team of Bangladesh. This (last four) is not impossible. It is difficult, but possible.”
