ZCZC
BSP-12
CRICKET-BD-WOMEN-INDIA
Bangladesh takes on India tomorrow to kick-off Women’s T20 WC
DHAKA, Feb 23, 2020 (BSS)-Emboldened by the success of the Under-19 team,
Bangladesh women team is set to kick-off their ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup
mission by taking on mighty India tomorrow (Monday) at Perth, Australia.
The match starts at 5 PM as per Bangladesh Standard Time.
The Under-19 team has recently won the World Cup, beating India by three
wickets at Potchefstroom in South Africa, what Bangladesh women’s captain
Salma Khatun said would act as an inspiration for them.
“Our men’s U19 team showed what was possible when you combine
determination, talent and hard work, and they are a massive inspiration for
us ahead of this World Cup,” Salma said ahead of their first match against
India.
“We are very proud of them and what they were able to do in South Africa
but now we are looking to what we can do in Australia.”
Salma Khatun said Bangladesh are looking to reach the semi-finals for the
first time, even though they are yet to win any match in this tournament in
the previous two editions.
They are also drawn in a tough Group A that sees them face Australia,
India, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh however did never face off
Australia and New Zealand in the International cricket.
Still Bangladesh’s confidence stemmed from their performance in the warm-
up game in which they beat Pakistan by five runs before their first practice
game against Thailand was rained off without a ball being bowled.
In a bid to end their win draught in this tournament, Bangladesh took a
long preparation this time, which included a conditioning camp in Australia’s
tourism hub Gold Coast.
The Tigress reached Gold Coast on February 3 and played two practice
matches against a local club where they won one game while the other match
was washed out due to rain.
“We are very, very excited. The whole team is looking forward to the
event as this is a massive stage and an opportunity for us to show that we
can play some quality cricket,” Salma said.
“Since the last World Cup, there is more belief in our team. We have
beaten some top teams and sides that are ranked above us in the past two
years, there is a nice blend of experience and fresh talent. The core group
has stayed together and that experience could prove vital.”
Salma emphasized on to keep the process right and play an aggressive
brand of cricket in a bid to fight neck-to-neck with the top teams.
“If we can be competitive, aggressive and play without inhibition then we
should have moments where we can get ourselves in advantageous positions. If
we get our processes right then the result will take care of itself. Hard
fight and competition until the very last ball – that’s all I ask of my
team,” she remarked.
Salma also drew the inspiration from the Asia Cup 2018, in which they
became champions, beating India twice-in group phase and final.
“We have some of the top teams in the world in our group. But when you
come to a tournament like this, you cannot think in terms of good and weak
opponents. We won the Asia Cup in 2018 by believing in ourselves against all
odds. We need to have the same mentality in the World Cup also,” she added.
“We came to Australia early to get acclimatised to the conditions which
are alien to us. Only a couple of our players have some prior experience of
Australia. We have had a camp in Gold Coast and now heading into the
tournament, these are exciting times for us and everyone is motivated and
confident.”
BSS/SMP/MSY/11:52 hrs