In a thrilling clash at the R Premadasa Stadium, the Bangladesh cricket team emerged victorious against India by a margin of six runs during the Asia Cup 2023. Bangladesh's skipper, Shakib al Hasan, expressed confidence in their squad's readiness for the upcoming ODI World Cup, scheduled to take place in India from October 5 to November 19.
Despite the encounter being of inconsequential nature, Bangladesh's triumph concluded their Super 4 campaign on a high note. This victory also ensured they didn't find themselves at the bottom of the points table. Spinners played an instrumental role in this triumph, with the likes of Shakib al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, each claiming four wickets.
Shakib al Hasan, addressing the media in the post-match press conference, reflected on the team's performance, stating, "We provided opportunities to players who haven't had much playing time. We anticipated the significance of spin in this match, and fortunately, our spinners delivered."
The Bangladesh skipper also exhibited his prowess with the bat, crafting a magnificent innings of 80 runs from 85 deliveries, contributing significantly to his team's total of 266 runs, which the Rohit Sharma-led Indian side had to chase.
Discussing his batting performance, Shakib remarked, "My form had been a bit shaky during this Asia Cup, but today, I found the time to settle in. The moment I struck my first boundary, it felt like a turning point. As the ball aged, it became increasingly challenging to contend with the spin. When Mahedi [Mehidy Hasan Miraz] came on to bowl, it posed a tough challenge. His five consecutive overs at the end created a significant impact."
Shakib didn't shy away from commending fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who made his international debut memorable by dismissing both Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma. Notably, Sakib's brilliant effort in defending 12 runs in the last over secured the win for his team.
Acknowledging the ups and downs of their Asia Cup journey, Shakib also provided insight into why Bangladesh was the first team to be eliminated from the Super 4 stage. He attributed injuries and player rotations as significant factors but remained optimistic about their prospects for the upcoming World Cup, declaring, "I must credit Sakib (Tanzim) as well. I genuinely believe we have a strong team for the World Cup. Unfortunately, injuries and player rotations posed challenges during this Asia Cup campaign."
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