Bangladesh fans gear up for semi-final

Birmingham: Team India may be already eyeing a final spot, but they will still need to get a job done against Bangladesh. They have realised that little-known players can sometimes cause harm and the lessons learnt from their defeat to Sri Lanka are expected to come in handy in the semi-final.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, are likely to play carefree cricket like they did against New Zealand. Their objective will be to prove that it’s not for nothing that they are among the four best teams in the world by reaching the semi-final.

The Tigers, as Bangladesh are known as, have stunned India in the past and that could be the reason why Indian skipper Virat Kohli stressed on the need of his team playing together as a unit.

“It’s not about asking two or three players to do it. We are asking everyone to do it and everyone is responding really well. Until you have a team effort, you cannot win games, especially in conditions that you are not familiar with.”

Bangladesh, on the other hand is spurred by the encouragement of their fans.

In fact, it is said that almost all Bangladeshis living all over the UK have plans to come to Birmingham and cheer for their team.

Though Indian fans will outnumber them, many have decided to dress like tigers.

Mohammad Rafiq, who owns a shop in Birmingham, said: “When the Champions Trophy started our odds were 50-1. There is nothing pleasing than breaking the odds.”

The Bangladesh team were given a grand reception last week at the Royal Regency in East London by the UK’s Bangladesh Cricket Council, chaired by the UK Council’s president Noim Uddin Riaz and conducted by secretary Mustak Babul. The council has published a brochure about the team and released among their fans. Many former Bangladesh players who were at the reception encouraged the team telling them that even though opponents may be tough, no one is unbeatable. In fact, Bangladesh fans here are keen to make sure that the players feel at home with their vociferous support.

Bangladesh team captain Mashrafe Mortaza said soon after their arrival: “This trip is a learning curve for all the young members of the team. These conditions are new for them. I want them to enjoy and learn as much as possible so that when they return here in two years’ time for the World Cup they are well equipped to deliver,” Mortaza was quoted in Bangladesh media.

“This is something we did not think of when we came here,” Mortaza said reflecting on their epic win over New Zealand.

“The manner in which we have been playing the last two to three years has won us a lot of matches, while there were a few that we should have won, but couldn’t. So our focus is to win every match and we will play at our best.”

Bangladesh fans, too, are hoping their players are able to give their best against Kohli & Co.