Mortaza optimistic after big victory
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza believes his side can face the future with renewed confidence even if they are denied a semi-final place at the Champions Trophy.
The Tigers gave themselves a shot at a last four spot with a stunning five-wicket win over New Zealand in Cardiff on Friday.
Bangladesh collapsed to 12 for three and were facing a humiliating loss at 33 for four in the 12th over.
But Shakib Al Hasan (114) and Mahmudullah (102 not out) responded to the pressure of a dire position in a must-win game with a brilliant new Bangladesh record partnership of 224 that turned the match upside down and eventually saw New Zealand eliminated.
Bangladesh still need alreadyqualified England to beat Australia in the final Group A match at Edgbaston on Saturday, or for the fixture to be a washed out no result, to go through to the last four of an event featuring the world’s top eight one-day international teams.
“That will be nice (if England win), but we can’t just expect Australia to lose that game,” Mortaza told reporters.
“I would like to say the best of luck to both teams, because whatever we could do we did.
“That is most important for us.”
The paceman added: “Obviously, I would like to go to the semis and if we do we will hopefully play better cricket than in the last three matches.
“We have to wait now, but in the last three years we keep improving a lot.