Tigers relish chance against India
The probability theory of mathematics is now very popular in the cricketing world as experts are busy using it to calculate Bangladesh’s chance of beating India in World Cup quarter-final on March 19. The theory is irrelevant in other three quarter-finals as everyone is aware that in a knock out contest there is nothing called favourites. Teams always relish their chance irrespective of opponents and condition in knock out matches but some former cricketers are not prepared to put Bangladesh in the same bracket. Some said the Tigers have only 10 per cent chance against India while some added that the defending champions have more than 70 per cent chances of winning the contest. Bangladesh vice-captain Sakib al Hasan, however, brushed aside the probably theory on Tuesday and said it all depends on how they can perform on the given day. ‘I think we need to start well and keep doing whatever we do,’ said Sakib. ‘If we can keep the momentum in our favour anything is possible. ‘Yes, obviously in pen and paper India is better team than Bangladesh…but on the day its one off game and if we have good day and they have a bad day, you never know.’ Debasish Dutta, an Indian cricket analyst, added that Bangladesh are a better side in some areas despite India being the defending champions and the Tigers can always use that to their favour.
‘I think Bangladesh’s middle-order batsmen are now in better form than the Indians,’ he said. ‘Mahmudullah, Mushfiq [Mushfiqur Rahim] and Sakib can always turn the corner. ‘I would also put Bangladesh ahead in pace bowling department. Bangladesh’s pacers are as quick as the pacers of any other sides. But they are also more disciplined.’ India are the only side to take all 60 wickets in group phases and their three quick bowlers Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma shared 35 wickets among them. Debasish, who follows the Indian team all over the world for decades, still put Bangladesh ahead in this area as they competed against relatively better opponents than their Indian counterparts. Bangladesh will also enjoy an edge in terms of pressure, which will be on the opponents, Debasish said. The Tigers have achieved their primary goal in the tournament and will go to the quarter-final to enjoy their game. Bangladesh’s win has raised expectation back in home, but unlike Indians, Sakib said they feel better when the expectation rises as it gives them more confidence. ‘In sub-continent people always expect from you,’ he said. ‘As we are playing well so there are some expectations. We need to focus on the game and how well we can do that is the key thing. ‘I think if we do that the result will take care of itself,’ he said. The all-rounder puts some condition for Bangladesh to do well saying that they India must not be allowed to put a big partnership. ‘They have six world class batsmen who can alone change the game,’
he said. ‘What we should do is that we must not give them a chance of making a big partnership.’ Bangladesh however will be braced for an unfamiliar challenge as for the first time in many days they will play a game in front of a packed gallery, which will mostly cheer for the opponents. The Melbourne Cricket Ground is officially the biggest cricket ground in the world with a capacity of little over 100,000. India enjoyed an unprecedented support during their match against South Africa in this ground and things are unlikely to be changed. Sakib said he is familiar with playing before 60,000-70,000 crowd at Kolkata’s Eden Garden in the Indian Premier League but they only supported in favour there, something that will not happen at the MCG. ‘We never played against so many antagonising fans. So I am not really sure how challenging it will be,’ said Sakib. -
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