Becoming the world champions is possible, says Shakib
Shakib Al Hasan
||CF Correspondent||
Bangladesh have featured in the ICC Cricket World Cup on five occasions and except for the one in 2003, they have registered at least one victory against other Test-playing nations in each edition of the 50-over event.
Until 2015, qualifying for the Super 8 or the knockout rounds at the World Cup was the best possible result the team’s ardent supporters could hope for. However, the country’s cricket experienced a big change following the World Cup in 2015 and the Bangladesh fans are now looking forward to watching the team repeat their heroics from the 2017 Champions Trophy in the upcoming global showpiece event while most of them want the Tigers to become the champions.
Bangladesh ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan thinks it is possible for them to meet the expectations as the Men in Red and Green have proven their mettle on various occasions.
“The people of Bangladesh are expecting Bangladesh to be the champions this time. Never before did they say that we can win the World Cup. They are saying it this time because they have the belief. And we [the players] also believe it. I think everyone in BCB also believes that we can do something like this,” said Shakib.
The 50-over format has been Bangladesh’s forte for a long time now; hence, it will not be wrong for them to think of going for the best possible result in England next year. However, Shakib feels that the path to the semi-finals is tougher than the knockout matches itself, which ultimately eliminate all contenders but one.
“In comparison to Test and T20I, we in a much better position in this format. Currently, we are the second-best team in Asia. I think we have a very good chance.
“There are some good teams. We have to play well consistently. Since it’s a big tournament and there are nine [group] matches, the road to semifinal is tough. To me, the next part is easier; just two matches – the semi-final and the final. You have to play well in nine matches, then in the next two games,” said the all-rounder.
