DHAKA, June 27, 2019 (BSS) – Bangladesh ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan isn’t ready to give up the hopes of reaching the World Cup final when not many people give it a thought.
The talismanic player admitted it would be tough job to achieve but given Bangladesh’s performance Shakib himself wants to believe it and take the chance.
”It is difficult mathematically [to reach the final] but anything is possible in cricket,” Shakib said, stressing upon the requirements of winning the remaining two matches respectively against India and Pakistan.
“We have to win both of our matches[ group phase] and it is difficult but not impossible,” he said.
The battle to reach at semifinal phase has already got intense after hosts England’s two consecutive defeat against Sri Lanka and Australia. At the same time Pakistan also won their match against New Zealand, making the last four battle wide open for every team apart from South Africa and Afghanistan.
To the delight of the Bangladeshi fans, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s team is also in the race although in their case many ifs and buts are involved. Bangladesh currently sits at fifth position with seven points from seven games.
Bangladesh have won three matches so far against South Africa, West Indies and Afghanistan while lost as many match to New Zealand, England and Australia. Their match against Sri Lanka was washed out, when it was widely regarded that they could beat the Lankans.
”But we have to believe that we can win both the matches because that is in our hand,” Shakib said.
”We have to keep an eye on others result as well but for us the most important thing is to win the next two matches,” he said.
Mashrafe Mortaza’s side has been one of the teams to watch out for in the tournament. If they beat Pakistan and India in their last two games, they will end up with 11 points and would want either of the three scenarios to happen.
As per the scenario one, both England and Sri Lanka should lose at least one more match and finish with a maximum of ten points
According to scenario two, New Zealand should lose to both Australia and England and finish on a lower Net Rune Rate (NRR) than Bangladesh and India lose at least three of their remaining four matches and end up with a lower or same NRR as Bangladesh.
It is unlikely that Bangladesh will go through with one win and nine points, despite the mathematical possibility, because of their negative NRR and a high probability of other teams getting to ten points.