Mashrafe bin Mortaza
Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe is a big fan of Diego Maradona. He has watched the legendary Argentina footballer on TV during the 1990 Fifa World Cup, and also the 1994 edition. he Albiceleste connection still remains, despite the Argentines not tasting World Cup success since 1986, when Mashrafe was only four years old. The veteran right-arm pacer expects Argentina to play an exciting brand of football, and put in their best effort in order to make their supporters’ long-awaited dream come true – lifting the golden trophy.
Tamim Iqbal
The left-handed batsman is an avid Brazil fan, and the Selecao connection runs deep in his family. Majority of the Khan family in Chittagong are die-hard fans of Brazil and often sit in front of the TV screen when the Selecao are in action. Tamim has his fingers crossed, and is expecting Brazil to lift the World Cup for a record sixth time.
Mahmudullah
A keen Argentine fan, Tigers all-rounder Mahmudullah had expected his favourite team to lift the trophy in the last edition in Brazil, only to be left heartbroken yet again. Mahmudullah expects his favourite team, led by Lionel Messi, to break the 32-year jinx, and give the supporters something to cheer about after a long time. The right-handed batsman said Germany will be the team to watch out for.
Nurul Hasan
The wicketkeeper-batsman is among the millions of crazy Argentine fans in Bangladesh. Youtube has been a source for Nurul to follow Maradona. He is also a big fan of Messi. The right-handed batsman has high hope with the two-time champion. Nurul expects Argentina, Brazil and Germany to reach the semi-finals and told everyone following the World Cup to look out for an underdog side in the last four.
Ariful Haque
Newbie in the national dressing room, seamer-allrounder Ariful is a big CR7 fan, and will thus be rooting for Portugal. The right-handed batsman honestly does not expect the side to rule the roost but will be happy to see the Portuguese in the semis, along with Germany, Argentina and Brazil.
Anamul Haque
Top-order stumper-batsman Anamul started supporting Spain to keep himself different in his family, which is divided into Brazil and Argentina supporters. However, following the sacking of head coach Julen Lopetegui a day before the opening match, Anamul is a bit worried. His support for Spain was generated from his support for Barcelona, a team which feature a good number of Spanish footballers.
Soumya Sarkar
Soumya is a big-time Cristiano Ronaldo fan. He will therefore be supporting Portugal, despite knowing his favourite team have very little possibility of winning the flagship tournament. The left-handed Bangladesh batsman however, will also be cheering for Brazil due to the side’s history and dominance in the World Cup.
Abu Jayed Rahi
To keep both family and friends happy, young pacer Jayed supports both Argentina and Brazil. Rahi has never been a big football fan but enjoys Argentina-Brazil encounters. Once, among the few times he played the game in childhood, he ended up with five stitches on his face. In the event of an Argentina-Brazil final, Jayed will be rooting for the Albiceleste.
