With top-order batters showing a glimpse of returning back to form, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto believes they still stand a good chance to seal the semifinals of the T20 World Cup.
Bangladesh tasted a thumping 28-run defeat to Australia in the DLS method to kick-start the Super 8 phase but they are confident to bring the momentum back when they take on India in their second game of this phase at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua today, reports BSS.
The match starts at 8.30 PM (Bangladesh Time).
While Bangladesh's top-order batters including captain Shanto struggled in the group phase, they put some runs in the match against Australia despite a defeat and it gave them the confidence to outshine familiar foes India in the crucial game.
Shanto himself was the top-scorer of the team with 36 ball-41 while Liton Das made 16 even though he played 25 balls. Towhid Hridoy blasted 28 ball-40 but the failure of the other batters meant Bangladesh could put up just 140-7.
Australia reached 100-2 in 11.2 overs before rain forced a premature end to the game as they won it by 28 runs on DLS calculation.
"The wicket was good, a bit slow, but we should have made at least 170. I'm doing alright so far, enjoying playing here and think I can do a bit more," Shanto said. "It's very important for the top-order to get runs, that's a big boost and hopefully the bowlers will continue their form.
Looking for a good show against India in our next match," he added.
Bangladesh and India played 13 matches in this format with the Tigers winning just one. In the T20 World Cup, they played four matches and India won all of those matches.
While the stat shows a one-sided result, it never shows the aggression and dedication Bangladesh showed all the time when they got India as an opponent.
The two sides produced some entertaining and thrilling contests but India always came on top, at least in this T20 format.
However, the way the match between Bangladesh and India creates hype every time, especially on social media and other places, the Tigers always see the chance to beat India.
If they can't beat India in tomorrow's game, Bangladesh will be eliminated from the semifinal race. But a win against Bangladesh will help India to reach the semis. India earlier beat Afghanistan by 47 runs in their first match of the Super 8 phase.
While Bangladesh have got the idea about the Antigua pitch by playing against Australia, India would have to travel to this place from Barbados to play their second match in less than 48 hours. Bangladesh also have to play the game in less than 48 hours, but they need not to travel.
Bangladesh Squad:
Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Taskin Ahmed, Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shakib Al Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Tanvir Islam, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam and Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
