Another World Cup. Dreaming one more time. Can Bangladesh meet expectations? Showing a new dream, the Bangladesh team will travel to the United States tomorrow night.

SBS Desk

May 15, 2024

1 minute

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CRICKET

One more World Cup, one more dream

Another World Cup. Dreaming one more time. Can Bangladesh meet expectations? Showing a new dream, the Bangladesh team will travel to the United States tomorrow night. Before leaving, Bangladesh captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto showed a dream.

Bangladesh leaves the country with big dreams before every World Cup. But every time I have to return empty handed. Bangladesh has not reached the second round of T20 World Cup so far. The highest achievement was defeating two teams in the 2022 World Cup. This time when the red-green jersey holders are leaving the country. Then the ground under their feet is not very solid. Playing simple cricket against Zimbabwe, the red-green jersey holders are leaving the country with a lot of discomfort. However, Shanto said before leaving that the Bangladesh team is desperate to achieve team success with individual performances.

About Bangladesh's expectations in the World Cup, captain Shanto said, 'I and every player in our team expect everyone to play very good cricket. I think it's easier for us to plan if we go ahead with smaller goals like how to get through the group stage. The group we are in is not a very weak group. It will be difficult for us. If we can pass the group stage, then we can plan separately for the future.

Shanta also explained how it is possible, "I believe there is no small team or big team in T20. If we can play good cricket on a given day then it is possible to beat any team.

After this, another T20 World Cup will be held in 2026. Until then, Mahmudullah Riyad and Shakib Al Hasan will be difficult to continue playing. So according to many, this may be the last World Cup for 37-year-old Shakib and 38-year-old Mahmudullah. Captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto wants to gift some beautiful memories to these two experienced stars.

Shakib is going to play nine consecutive World Cups from the very first World Cup in 2007. This is the eighth World Cup for Mahmudullah who did not get a place in the last World Cup. Shanto wants to remember the last World Cup of these two, "I don't know if this is their last World Cup or not." It's the idea. Those of us who are relatively young, we certainly want to give them a good memory, as they have been playing for so long. We gave them a good World Cup, it is definitely our responsibility.

Shakib-Mahmudullah's success is also important for Bangladesh to do well. However, these two have no additional demands for peace. "Sakib bhai, I don't want anything extra from Riyad bhai (Mahmudullah). If they can do the way they are performing, then the team will benefit a lot.'

Mahmudullah was the captain of the Bangladesh team in the 2021 T20 World Cup. However, he did not get a place in the 2022 T20 World Cup team next year. At that time, many saw the end of Mahmudullah's career. However, he returned to the team with hard work and performance. This time he is going to play the eighth T20 World Cup.

Shanto said about Mahmudullah's return, 'Riyad Bhai came back, the most important thing is the way he is playing now. The way he is fulfilling his responsibilities, the team is going far ahead. Batting at number 5, 6. Being responsible for finishing, it's definitely an extra chance for us to put up a good score. It is definitely a place of inspiration for the youth, how to bounce back from such a situation.'

Shanto said about his deputy Taskin and his injury in the World Cup, "I still don't think that Taskin won't be there. Hopefully he will recover and be available from the first match of the World Cup. Taskin is our main bowler, if he is not fit then we will have to go with alternate players. But from the information we have received from the medical department, I believe that Taskin will recover before the first match.

This is the first time Bangladesh is going to the World Cup with a legspinner. Shanto said about Rishad, 'We got a very good player. Apart from bowling and batting, Rishad is also an excellent fielder. All in all a complete package. If he can play with his best, the team will progress a lot. As a captain, there is no extra pressure on Rishad from my side.

Shanto said about the overall expectations, "Hopefully something good will happen this time." The combination and preparation of our team is very good. But playing well is important. It is important to fulfill one's duties on certain days. Everyone also makes personal plans to give the gift of good cricket. So I am hopeful that something good will happen this time.