by Saj Sadiq

9th March, 2011

Having been bowled out for a paltry 58 against the West Indies and subsequently suffering a 9 wicket defeat, the Bangladesh team face an uphill task to reach the quarter finals in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup. 

With three group fixtures remaining, the co-hosts are fully aware that they will need to beat one of England or South Africa, as well as defeating the Netherlands to stand any chance of progressing to the knockout stage.

Bangladeshi fans and players had high hopes ahead of the World Cup, and a quarter final berth was the least the Tigers were hoping for. The West Indies was the team that they were targeting as a possible shock, but instead, defeats to India and West Indies and a sole victory over Ireland have left skipper Shakib Al Hasan and his team mates in a precarious position in Group B.

Despite Bangladesh facing a tough battle to reach the quarter finals, former skipper Mohammad Ashraful speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net, remains optimistic of their chances and feels that the heavy defeat against the West Indies needs to be blocked out of their minds when they face England in Chittagong on Friday.

"It was a horror show against the West Indies. It was a really bad day for us and nothing went right. The good thing though is that even though we lost badly to West Indies, we still have three matches to play. We have had a good opportunity to clear our minds ahead of the England match and the break will have done us good before we take on England in Chittagong".

The manner of the defeat to the West Indies particularly hurt the Bangladeshi cricket mad public, and they vented their frustration on the team buses as they left the stadium and then later at the residence of the skipper Shakib Al Hasan. Ashraful though feels that it wasn't just the fans that were left frustrated by the 9 wicket defeat to the West Indies.

"The West Indies match was a bad day. I can't put my finger on what went wrong. We are all mystified as to why we played so badly, because our preparation was fine ahead of the game and we were in confident mood. It was a real shock to all of us to be bowled out for only 58 and as far as I am concerned, that wasn't the real Bangladesh side against West Indies. However I still feel that if we play our best cricket, we can beat any of the leading sides in the world. We need to make use of the home conditions and I am confident that we will put on a much better showing against England. The results didn't go our way when England beat South Africa the other night, but our fate is still in our own hands."

Ashraful's own recent form has been a concern for both himself and his fans, as he has only reached the half century mark twice in his last twenty three one day innings. His scores so far in the World Cup have been 1 and 11 respectively, batting at the lowly position of seven. However, Ashraful was confident that he can deliver when it matters, although his batting position is a concern.

"I feel I've always been at my best batting at number four or five, but if I'm being asked to bat at seven then I will have to try and score runs in that position also. I have faith in my ability and I pray that I score runs in the upcoming matches and help my country. It only takes one good score to regain one's confidence and I'm sure that big score is not too far away from me."

Bangladesh are currently sitting in sixth position in Group B, only ahead of the Netherlands, and their upcoming matches against England, Netherlands and South Africa will decide their fate.