SA’s big challenge will be to think the right way
The important stage of the World Cup starts now and it will be the clash between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Sydney. From here on, it will be a test of nerves --and skills --- for the eight teams left in the tournament. More so for South Africa, who have been a very good cricketing nation but have been unlucky as far as winning major titles is concerned.
If I were in AB de Villiers’ shoes, I would just accept it and move on and say, “So what...it’s a new day and we can turn things around.” Sometimes, accepting things the way they are is the best cure; it helps you settle down mentally and pushes you to find new avenues to get better. And, that’s what South Africa should look to do.
must remember that one player does not make a difference and they will have to be at the top of their game in other areas. The Sri Lankans, on the other hand, are big-tournament players.
accepting things the way they are is the best cure; it helps you settle down mentally and pushes you to find new avenues to get better. And, that’s what South Africa should look to do. MELBOURNE: Bangladesh fast bowler, Rubel Hossian, was behind bars in January facing allegations of rape by an actor, who accused him of going back on a promise of marriage. Granted bail on January 11, the next day he was in the Bangladesh World Cup team. Those days were traumatic for Rubel. Here at the World Cup, the team management has been taking extra efforts to help him maintain focus. The result: he has become the backbone of the Bangladesh bowling attack.
Former Zimbabwean captain and Bangladesh bowling coach, Heath Streak, was explaining things to Rubel very slowly, almost word by word, during the nets at Melbourne Cricket Ground. A calm Rubel listened intently, nodding his head. Chief selector Faruque Ahmed and Khaled Mahmud, former captain, were also talking to him.
“What he needed was support from us and his team mates. The entire selection committee was unanimous that ‘whatever happens we will see later’ as they were mere allegations. He is needed for A BANGLADESH ACTOR Naznin Akter Happy had filed a rape case against Rubel Hossain, 25, in January. She claimed that Rubel had reneged on a promise of marriage that he made while they were having an “intimate affair”.
THE ALLEGATION HAD threatened to scupper Rubel’s chances of appearing in the World Cup after he was remanded in custody by a court in Dhaka.
HE WAS GRANTED BAIL until the end of the World Cup considering ‘national interest’ as he was a key member of the Bangladesh team. FARUQUE AHMED, Bangladesh chief selector.
the team, so let him play as keeping him out will not be good for him or the team,” Faruque, a former Bangladesh LAST WEEK IT WAS revealed that the actor had withdrawn the charges against the fast bowler, a day after his match-winning heroics against England at the World Cup.
RUBEL SCALPED four wickets against England. The effort also included two wickets in the penultimate over of the match, which handed Bangladesh a thrilling 15-run win and paved the way for their progress into the knockout stage.
Matches Wickets
Best
captain, told HT.
However, after Bangladesh beat England at Adelaide last week thanks to Rubel’s Average Econ late heroics, the Bangladesh actor who had filed the case, Naznin Akhtar, withdrew her charges. In 9.3 overs against England, Rubel took four wickets, including the last two in the penultimate over to clinch the game.
“It was a tough time for him. As former players, we knew that what kind of support a player needs when he goes through a crisis. We knew that if we put him back on the ground that would help him overcome the situation. He came back strongly,” Faruque said.
Most of his teammates react sharply when members of the media ask about Rubel. For them, it is more than an emotional issue. “I don’t think he missed any game for us. Whatever has happened, that is his personal life. It has nothing to do with his cricket. It is good that he is now a stronger player than before,” said vicecaptain, Shakib Al Hasan. MELBOURNE: Bangladesh vicecaptain Shakib Al Hasan said on Tuesday that the mood in the team was good with all the players focused on the knock-out game against India.
“We played fearless cricket against India in the 2007 World Cup and the 2012 Asia Cup. We all want to play that brand of cricket. So far in this World Cup we’ve been doing it. If we perform the way we did against England and New Zealand, I think we’ll have a very good game,” Shakib said after the net session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
However, he accepted that India is a strong opponent. “Yes, on paper, India is a better team than Bangladesh. No one has any doubt about it. On the day it’s a one-off game. If we have a good day and they have a bad day, you never know,” said the former captain.
Shakib said he is aware of his role and responsibilities in the team.
“As the vice-captain I have a leadership role to play. If I feel anything at any point, I will go and tell the captain. I also look to motivate the players,” he said.