It is important to any team in winning the first match of a tournament and try to hold on to the momentum, for Bangladesh one-day skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza it is nothing different. The veteran spearhead does not rate Afghanistan and Scotland lower than the other big names in their group and expects to give it all and get the best result from each of their outings in Australia-New Zealand.
With the Afghans and Scottish in the group – alongside Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and England – most people formed an opinion that the Tigers will win against the two ICC Associates and try to upset a big gun to keep breathing in the mega event.
Being a Test playing nation Bangladesh is expected to raise their World Cup curtain with a win against Afghanistan on February 18. However, Mashrafe, who didn’t play with a side strain but saw his teammates go down by 32 runs to the same Afghans only 11 months back in the Asia Cup at home, said they are not only focused on beating the two Associate members, rather they want to get a good start which will help them in achieving their target – the second round.
“The start in this kind of tournament, its always important to gain the momentum,” said Mashrafe, Bangladesh’s fifth World Cup captain in as many appearances.
“Practically our target is to move into the second round, a task that is really tough. But I believe if we play to our potential, we can beat any team in any condition,” he said before adding, “We have beaten England at their home and Australia at Cardiff. We also beat New Zealand. If we get off to a good start, we can go against them in high confidence.”
“We are not working on any particular team to beat because setting this kind of target would increase the pressure. We only aim to play our best cricket and start the tournament on a winning note.”
In 1999 Bangladesh beat Pakistan in the World Cup, but their biggest surprise till date is the win against current world champions India in 2007 who were sent packing from first round with the defeat.
Mashrafe was a key member back in 2007 too as he recalled, “According to me, the 1999 and 2007 World Cup team was successful. In 2007, we were drawn in a tough group but we got away with it by virtue of a good start. That’s why we focus on to having a good start.”
“We are yet again pitted in a tough group, but I believe we are capable of pulling surprises. We also need some luck.”
After two World Cup’s – 2003 in South Africa and 2007 in West Indies – injury snatched what could have been Mashrafe’s biggest achievement – playing the 2011 World Cup at home soil. His constant battle with knee injury is nothing new as even fate could not take away the glory from a fighter like him.
He is not only playing his third World Cup, but will also be captaining Bangladesh in the multinational event.
“As a captain of the team, target is solely team-wise. I never set personal targets when I am the captain,” said the Narail Express.