Bangladesh still inspired by that famous day in Port of Spain

MELBOURNE: Bangladesh know the odds are stacked against them beating India in tomorrow’s World Cup quarterfinal at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. If history and current form are any guide, India should win in a canter.

Bangladesh have done well to make the quarter-finals, beating England, Scotland and Afghanistan, but few expect them to go any further.

And that suits Bangladesh just fine. The Tigers are used to living in India’s cricketing shadow and are happy to play the role of underdogs against their subcontinent neighbours. And while they have only managed three wins over India in 28 One Day Internationals it is enough to give the Tigers hope.

Their most famous win came at the 2007 World Cup when Bangladesh beat India by five wickets at Queen’s Park Oval at Port of Spain. It was only a pool match but the result meant India failed to make it past the first round.

For the Bangladeshi players, 2007 remains a constant source of inspiration, even if it removed the veil of surprise.

“Obviously it will be in our memory,” Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan told a news conference on Tuesday.

“But it’s a new game and we all know it. India are a very good side, they have some world class players.

“Obviously it’s going to be hard for us. We know that but we’re up for the challenge.”

India avenged their loss to Bangladesh at the 2011 World Cup, which they went on to win, and have been punishing them ever since. Since 2007, Bangladesh have beaten India just once, in 2012.

Shakib said Bangladesh were adopting the same approach they had in 2007.

“I think we played fearless cricket and we all want to play that brand of cricket (again) and, so far in this World Cup, I think we’re doing it,” he said.

“India have a very good team. But we’re doing well , our confidence is high enough and we’re up for the match.”

Bangladesh were once regarded as the whipping boys of world cricket but Shakib said India had unwittingly helped them become a force to be reckoned with.

Many Bangladesh players, play in the IPL being exposed to the big crowds. “This is the first time we’re playing in a World Cup quarter-final but at the same time we need to understand it’s another game of cricket,” said Shakib. “Obviously, on pen and paper, India is a better team than Bangladesh, no one has any doubt about it.

“But on the day it’s a one-off game and if we have a good day and they have a bad day, you never know.” – Reuters