Following the emphatic series sweep over Pakistan last April, Bangladesh now turn their attention to India as the two subcontinent rivals prepare to face each other today in the first of three one-day internationals at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Besides the obvious importance of the occasion, the permutations of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy will also be in the back of the mind of the Bangladeshi cricketers when they face India.
Before the cut-off date of the tournament’s qualification process, which has been set at September 30 this year, the Tigers will encounter India and South Africa in six ODIs at home. Irrespective of results elsewhere, two wins from these six matches will be enough to guide the Tigers to their maiden appearance in the Champions Trophy in the tournament’s eighth edition.
If Bangladesh do qualify for the event, it will be a historic occasion for them, given that only the top eight teams in the rankings get to strut their stuff against each other in the marquee event. According to the latest International Cricket Council rankings, Bangladesh are ranked eighth with 88 points, the same tally as seventh-placed West Indies. Pakistan are a place below at ninth with 87 points.
The Tigers can be forgiven if they have the equation of the Champions Trophy in the back of their minds but ODI captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza believes they should just concentrate on their cricket rather than taking undue pressure upon themselves.
“It is quite natural to think about this type of equation, but at some point this can be the source of extra pressure. We do not want the cricketers to think about it. We should take it match by match. We have to do well and then think about the next game,” Mashrafe told the media yesterday.
“It is important to control our emotions. Taking on pressure will not be good for us. We faced similar pressure in the World Cup. Even those who believed in us, they were only hoping that we would reach the second round. So, just like we did it there, we will take it match-by-match here also,” said Mashrafe.
The last time Bangladesh pitted their wits against India was in the quarter-final stage of the 2015 ICC World. On that occasion, the two-time world champions posted a 109-run victory but the last eight clash was overshadowed by some controversial decisions from the umpires. Mashrafe however, stated that their World Cup clash is very much in the past now.
“We battle on the field but it is not literally a battle. I do not think anyone will think about what happened in a match three-four months ago. A lot of things can happen by accident. I do not think it requires any deep thinking,” said Mashrafe before adding, “I firmly believe India are the favourites but when we get on the field, we do not think about the tag of favourites. I hope we can play our best cricket. Following the 2007 World Cup, we started to believe that we can beat any team. We never lost our mental strength despite losing matches. Of course, if we are playing against a higher-ranked team they will be the favourites but we never think that they are unbeatable.”
The Narail Express also touched on the subject of paceman Rubel Hossain’s extravagant celebration following Virat Kohli’s dismissal in the World Cup down under. Mashrafe informed that he has no problems if the individual battle heats up, as long as it is fair.
“If (Rubel’s) madness is helpful, then I do not mind it. I obviously would not want any personal attack. But, I do not think there is anything wrong between Rubel and Kohli. I think he got him out just once or twice,” said Mashrafe.
“I think we create such problems by asking these questions. It is better to avoid such questions. We shake hands at the end of the match. Rubel and Virat do not have a problem with each other. Both will give their 100% and one of them will be successful,” he concluded.
