A confident Shakib Al Hasan has hailed Bangladesh’s performance in their final match of the Asia Cup 2023 that saw them get the better of India in Colombo on Friday. Shakib feels Bangladesh have the talent to challenge teams at the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2023 set to get underway from October 5 in India.
Bangladesh were hit by injuries to fast bowler Ebadot Hossain ahead of the Asia Cup and then top order batter Najmul Hossain Shanto was ruled out midway through the tournament due to a hamstring issue.
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They defeated Afghanistan in the group stage but lost to Sri Lanka. However, in the Super 4, back-to-back defeats to Pakistan and Sri Lanka eliminated them from the final race.
“We have got a very good team. A lot of players injured and some going in and out, that didn’t help us. I think we will be a dangerous side in the World Cup,” Shakib said during the post-match presentation.
The Super 4 clash against India was inconsequential and Bangladesh made as many as five changes to their playing XI. “Yes, we gave the guys a chance who haven’t played much. After the last couple of games here, we thought spinners will do well,” Shakib said.
Shakib led from the front and top-scored for Bangladesh with 80 after India opted to bowl first at the R Premadasa Stadium.
He then produced figures of 1/43 from his 10 overs that included the wicket of Suryakumar Yadav and thus played a vital role in securing six-run win.
For his effort, the seasoned allrounder was also chosen as the player-of-the-match.
“Today, I went early and had time to spend on the crease. It was a challenging wicket. It was seaming a bit and it got easier when the ball got older,” Shakib said of his show with the bat.
Bangladesh spinner Mahedi Hasan provided two crucial breakthroughs including the scalps of KL Rahul and centurion Shubman Gill.
“It wasn’t an easy time to bowl, he (Mahedi) came to bowl and got us the breakthrough. He also bowled five overs at the end which is not easy for a spinner. Also, Tanzim (Hasan) bowled well at the start and took two wickets,” Shakib said.
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