ZCZC
BSP-11
CRICKET-SHAKIB-INDIA
Shakib now eying to beat India
DHAKA, June 25, 2019 (BSS)- Bangladesh ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan knows, beating an inform India will be a tough proposition but he refuses to give up hopes, saying that they would come all guns blazing against the sub-continent giants when they take them on July 2 at Birmingham.
After reviving the side’s semifinal hope, beating Afghanistan by 62 runs on Monday with a flurry of records, Shakib knows he must continue his form as they need to beat India and Pakistan also if they want to give it a shot to confirm the last four spot.
Shakib struck a patient 69 ball-52 and claimed 5-29 against Afghanistan to lead the side from the front. This is the second instance after India’s Yuvraj Singh that a player hit half-century and five-for in same match in the World Cup.
In the process, he also passed 400 runs and snapped up 10 wickets in same edition of World Cup-a feat that never achieved in the past. Shakib believes that the amount of experience as a team they have would help them to beat India, a team whom they pushed vehemently in their last three encounters before losing the game in the final ball.
“Experience will help, we have to play our best cricket to be able to beat India,” Shakib said.
“They have got world-class players who can take the match in their own hands. We have to be at our best but I believe we are a capable enough team.”
Bangladesh currently sits at fifth position with seven points from seven games, just one point behind fourth placed England who has eight points in six matches.
While Bangladesh would have to win their two remaining matches, there will be many ifs and buts if they want to confirm semifinal berth.
Mathematically it is tough job but Shakib insisted on completing their task perfect way, what is in their hands.
“England have got three more matches and need to win one,” added Shakib.
“We have two and have to win both. It is difficult mathematically but that’s cricket, anything can happen.”
“It will be tough but we have belief that we can pay well and get the result. That is all we can do and then we have to look at the other results.”
BSS/SMP/AU/12:10 hrs