Mashrafe’s men looking good for an upset: Bulbul

THE REVENGE THEME

MELBOURNE: Observing Bangladesh’s net session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Wednesday, Mohammad Aminul Islam ‘Bulbul’ was a confident man. Aminul was the captain when the world witnessed the upset of the 1999 World Cup.

A Test-playing nation, Pakistan, had lost to unfancied Bangladesh at Northampton. Aminul feels that the current team is also capable of a similar feat in Thursday’s quarterfinal at the MCG and but they have to keep their cricket simple.

“India is a very experience side. They have been through this kind of situation many times. I just want to tell our boys that play your normal game; stick to your strategy and believe in yourself. I believe Bangladesh can give a good fight to India,”Aminul told HT.

Aminul feels that this Bangladesh team is an improved unit which can win big matches.

“Bangladesh’s middle-order batting and fast bowling is a big improvement in this Cup. After winning against England and the close encounter with New Zealand, their confidence is high which always helps to perform well,” he said. According to Aminul, Bangladesh’s win against Pakistan in 1999 is still talked about because before that match the dressing room atmosphere was very sad.

“We were upset as a day before the match against Pakistan our Board had sacked our coach Gordon Greenidge. Greenidge came to our dressing room and said that it was hislastdaywiththeteam.Butbefore he left, we promised him that we will do something memorable. We fulfilledourpromisebecauseweplayed better cricket then Pakistan,” said Aminul.

“I remember, the effort was celebrated with the full-night party,” remembered Aminul.