In a recent statement, Bangladesh’s cricket captain, Shakib Al Hasan, outlined his team’s approach to the upcoming Men’s ODI World Cup. He emphasized that their immediate focus is on the Asia Cup, scheduled from August 30 to September 17. The Bangladesh team commenced their Asia Cup journey against Sri Lanka at Pallekele on August 31.
Shakib underlined that their current strategy revolves around the Asia Cup, with preparations tailored to this event. He pointed out that thoughts about the World Cup would only come into play after the conclusion of the Asia Cup. The skipper’s sentiment was clear: the team is concentrating solely on the challenges presented by the Asia Cup, particularly the upcoming match against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
Echoing Shakib’s sentiments, the head coach Chandika Hathurusingha shared the team’s focus on the immediate goal of progressing to the second round of the Asia Cup. He acknowledged the tough opposition they face, including Sri Lanka in their home conditions and a strong Afghanistan side.
Shakib, who assumed the captaincy after Tamim Iqbal’s departure due to a persistent back injury, drew a clear distinction between the Asia Cup and the World Cup. He stressed that these are two distinct tournaments, and success or struggles in the Asia Cup do not necessarily predict their performance in the larger World Cup event.
The captain further elaborated that while a strong showing in the Asia Cup could potentially boost their confidence heading into the World Cup, poor results in the former would not doom their chances in the latter. He emphasized that the team’s outlook was pragmatic, understanding that each tournament carries its own set of challenges and opportunities.