Bangladesh faces uphill battle for CT semi-finals: Raqibul Hasan

Bangladesh's campaign in the Champions Trophy (CT) begins on Thursday (February 20) with a match against India. The Tigers are placed in a tough Group 'A', alongside hosts Pakistan and New Zealand, making their path to the semi-finals a challenging one, said Raqibul Hasan, former captain of Bangladesh cricket team.

Raqibul Hasan, the Independence Award-2023 holder, believes that it will be difficult for Bangladesh to advance from this group, given the strength, ability, and achievements of their opponents. “This is a very difficult group,” said Rakibul. “India, Pakistan, and New Zealand are all strong teams. However, cricket is unpredictable, and the outcome of a match can never be foretold. Every team has its strengths, and Bangladesh has a solid mix of youth and experience. If they play their best cricket, there is a good chance for positive results.”

Raqibul emphasized the importance of strong batting for Bangladesh’s success in the tournament. “The top order must perform well, especially captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. When the captain scores runs, it motivates the entire team. Shanto has been in good form, and Miraz is also playing well. The others need to contribute as well,” he added.

Before the Champions Trophy, Bangladesh suffered a 7-wicket defeat to Pakistan Shaheens (the ‘A’ team) in a warm-up match, where their batting was a major concern. Despite this, Raqibul urged the team to put that loss behind them. “Cricket is a psychological game. You cannot dwell on the loss in the warm-up match. What's gone is gone,” he said.

Looking ahead to the match against India, Raqibul believes Bangladesh will have a chance if they can prevent India from playing their best. “If India is not at their best, or if Bangladesh can restrict them, then there will be a great opportunity for Bangladesh,” he noted.

Raqibul expressed confidence in Bangladesh's bowling department, calling it the team's strongest suit. “Our bowling is very strong, and that’s a positive aspect of the team. If the bowlers perform their duties well, we can achieve good results,” he said.

While captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has set a goal of winning the Champions Trophy, Raqibul remains cautious. “Dreams can come true, but the group is very tough. If Bangladesh can reach the semi-finals, that would be a great achievement. However, getting to the semi-finals will be very challenging,” he concluded.