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Bangladesh upbeat ahead of quarter-final clash

Tue 17 Mar 2015, 1:25 pm

Bangladesh upbeat ahead of quarter-final clash
Summary

Team focused and ready for India believes, vice-captain Shakib Al Hasan

These are good times for a Bangladesh cricket fan. Adelaide went beserk as Bangladesh fans hit the streets with joy after their side made it to the quarter-final knocking off England. This is the first time Bangladesh have made it to the knockout stage of the World Cup and it is a big moment in their cricketing chapter. Obviously expectations are high back home, agreed vice-captain Shakib Al Hasan. “In the sub-continent, people always expect a lot of you and since we are playing well, there is expectation. But, we need to focus on the game. If we play well, the result will take care of itself. It doesn't matter whether we win or lose if we play to our potential.” Three wins out of six games and now, it all boils down to one result that can either take them to the semis or return home with the satisfaction of making it to the knockouts. Shakib though, sounded confident ahead of their game against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. “The mood in the camp is good and we are focused on the game,” vice-captain Shakib Al Hasan said. “Everyone is focused on the game. We are up for it. We are preparing the best we can. It's a quarterfinal, it is a one-off game and no one will take anyone lightly. We are doing well and our confidence is high. “We need to start well. If we keep that momentum anything is possible. On paper, India is a better team than Bangladesh but if we have a good day and they have a bad day, you never know.” Bangladesh do have fond memories of beating India in the 2007 World Cup but Shakib was of the view that the 2007 result wouldn’t really matter going into the game on Thursday. “That victory will be in our memory but this is a new game. India is a good side with world-class players. We know that it is going to be hard for us. If we play our best cricket, anything is possible.” The all-rounder also hoped for continuing the brand of cricket they have been playing thus far and has got them success. “We have played fearless cricket. We all want to play that brand of cricket that we have in the World Cup. If we do exactly what we did against England and New Zealand, I think we will have a very good game.” So is this his biggest game of his cricketing career? “Maybe you can say that, because this is the first time we are playing in a World Cup quarter-final. At the same time we need to understand that it's just another game of cricket,” signed off Shakib with a grin.