We'll take on India without any fear: Shakib

Published March 17, 2015
Bangladesh player Shakib Al Hasan speaks during a press conference ahead of their 2015 Cricket World Cup quarter-final match against India in Melbourne on March 17, 2015. — AFP
Bangladesh player Shakib Al Hasan speaks during a press conference ahead of their 2015 Cricket World Cup quarter-final match against India in Melbourne on March 17, 2015. — AFP

MELBOURNE: Bangladesh will have to play fearless cricket to reproduce their shock 2007 World Cup win over India and knock the defending champions out in their quarter-final, Shakib Al Hasan.

The star all-rounder hit a pivotal 53 as the Bangladeshis ran down India's 191 to win by five wickets in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, at the 2007 World Cup in one of the minnows' biggest achievements.

Not many give Bangladesh a hope in their first-ever World Cup quarter-final, but Shakib says confidence is high inside the camp after their three wins and rained-out point with Australia and anything is possible in a one-off game.

India, unbeaten in their six pool games, are expected to add Bangladesh to their tally at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and confirm their superiority over their neighbours in an all-Asian knockout game.

“I think we played fearless cricket (when Bangladesh beat India eight years ago) and we all want to play that brand of cricket that we played,” Shakib told a media conference.

“And, so far in this World Cup, I think we're doing it. If we do exactly what we did against England or New Zealand, I think we'll have a very good game.”

“It depends on the day, we need to start well. Whatever we do and if we keep doing that and we keep the momentum in our favour then anything is possible.”

India have only lost to Bangladesh three times in 28 ODIs and have some of the biggest names in world cricket — Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan — and have been, along with New Zealand, the only unbeaten team at the World Cup.

“India have a very good team, they are the defending world champions, they've got some world class players but we're doing well in this World Cup, our confidence is high enough and we're up for the match,” Shakib said.

“Obviously, on pen and paper, India is a better team than Bangladesh, no-one has any doubt about it.”

“But on the day it's a one-off game and if we have a good day and they have a bad day, you never know.”

Bangladesh sent their country into raptures with their stunning 15-run victory to knock England out of the tournament and lock in on a quarter-final berth.

“In the subcontinent, people always expect a lot from you and because we're playing well there is some expectation,” Shakib said.

“But we need to focus on the game and how well we can play the game, that's the key thing.

“And if we do that I think the result will take care of itself. It doesn't matter, win or lose, if we play our best cricket, that's the key thing.”

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s unease
Updated 24 May, 2024

IMF’s unease

It is clear that the next phase of economic stabilisation will be very tough for most of the population.
Belated recognition
24 May, 2024

Belated recognition

WITH Wednesday’s announcement by three European states that they intend to recognise Palestine as a state later...
App for GBV survivors
24 May, 2024

App for GBV survivors

GENDER-based violence is caught between two worlds: one sees it as a crime, the other as ‘convention’. The ...
Energy inflation
Updated 23 May, 2024

Energy inflation

The widening gap between the haves and have-nots is already tearing apart Pakistan’s social fabric.
Culture of violence
23 May, 2024

Culture of violence

WHILE political differences are part of the democratic process, there can be no justification for such disagreements...
Flooding threats
23 May, 2024

Flooding threats

WITH temperatures in GB and KP forecasted to be four to six degrees higher than normal this week, the threat of...