Bangladesh look to upset red-hot India
Thursday, 12 June 2008
After crushing Pakistan by 140 runs in the previous match, high-flying India face hosts Bangladesh in the last group match of the Kitply Cup at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS), reports UNB.
The day/night match will commence at 3:00 pm.
This will be the 18th ODI encounter between the two sides. In the previous 17 matches, India won 15 and Bangladesh only 2.
Before the Thursday's match, both the teams had practice sessions at the match venue. The local side did their practice in the morning, while the Indian side in the afternoon.
Only six Indian players -- Robin Uthappa, Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ojha, M Gony, Yusuf Pathan and RP Singh -- did net and fielding sessions at the SBNS, while the other players did stretching and swimming at the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful said: "In the past, we have beaten India twice. If we could play good cricket and our batsmen and bowlers could do their job, of course we will be able to beat India again."
Asked about their specific target in the last group match, he said: "Our main target is to do well in all the three departments (batting, bowling and fielding). Except batting, our bowling and fielding were good in the first match (against Pakistan)."
About the playing eleven, the Bangladesh captain hinted that the 12-member squad that played in the first match would remain the same.
Replying to a query, he said Indian opener Virender Sehwag is in good form, "but if we could bowl consistently in the right areas and if the process remains right, there is always a possibility to do well against our opponents."
Ashraful explained the process saying it means everything -- to bowl in the right areas and to bat considering the situation. "Our process was good in all the matches that we won," he said.
About his uncharacteristic batting in the first ODI where he remained unbeaten on 56 off 93 balls against Pakistan, he said that he had to bat in that fashion due to the situation of the match.
Indian coach Garry Kirsten said they are not feeling any complacency after having an emphatic win over Pakistan. "We don't like to think in such a manner. We are professionals."
Replying to a query, the former South African opener said: "In one day cricket, there is an equal opportunity for all the teams - it is like a lottery, if someone can play a big innings there is always a chance. You can't take anything for granted. But if we can play to our ability we can beat any team in the world."
About the playing eleven, he said they haven't decided regarding the matter but gave indication that there is an opportunity to make experiment. "We will have some thoughts about the squad later today
The day/night match will commence at 3:00 pm.
This will be the 18th ODI encounter between the two sides. In the previous 17 matches, India won 15 and Bangladesh only 2.
Before the Thursday's match, both the teams had practice sessions at the match venue. The local side did their practice in the morning, while the Indian side in the afternoon.
Only six Indian players -- Robin Uthappa, Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ojha, M Gony, Yusuf Pathan and RP Singh -- did net and fielding sessions at the SBNS, while the other players did stretching and swimming at the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful said: "In the past, we have beaten India twice. If we could play good cricket and our batsmen and bowlers could do their job, of course we will be able to beat India again."
Asked about their specific target in the last group match, he said: "Our main target is to do well in all the three departments (batting, bowling and fielding). Except batting, our bowling and fielding were good in the first match (against Pakistan)."
About the playing eleven, the Bangladesh captain hinted that the 12-member squad that played in the first match would remain the same.
Replying to a query, he said Indian opener Virender Sehwag is in good form, "but if we could bowl consistently in the right areas and if the process remains right, there is always a possibility to do well against our opponents."
Ashraful explained the process saying it means everything -- to bowl in the right areas and to bat considering the situation. "Our process was good in all the matches that we won," he said.
About his uncharacteristic batting in the first ODI where he remained unbeaten on 56 off 93 balls against Pakistan, he said that he had to bat in that fashion due to the situation of the match.
Indian coach Garry Kirsten said they are not feeling any complacency after having an emphatic win over Pakistan. "We don't like to think in such a manner. We are professionals."
Replying to a query, the former South African opener said: "In one day cricket, there is an equal opportunity for all the teams - it is like a lottery, if someone can play a big innings there is always a chance. You can't take anything for granted. But if we can play to our ability we can beat any team in the world."
About the playing eleven, he said they haven't decided regarding the matter but gave indication that there is an opportunity to make experiment. "We will have some thoughts about the squad later today