Bangladesh ‘believes’!

PORT OF SPAIN – Confidence was the key to Bangladesh’s sensational start in the ongoing Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean, according to coach Dav Whatmore.

Habibul Bashar’s Bangladeshis turned the form-book upside down when they outplayed regional heavyweights India by five wickets in their opening match at the Queen’s Park Oval here on Saturday. It was only their second victory over a Test-playing nation in one-day cricket’s showpiece event since making their Cup debut in 1999, having beaten Pakistan eight years ago.Asked what the main difference was between the current Bangladeshi side and the previous ones, Whatmore said: “There is more self-belief.”The Bangladeshi side of two or three years ago might not to be able to overhaul the target of 192 against India.”Bangladesh comfortably surpassed India’s total of 191 in the previous game, with teenagers Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Saqibul Hasan all making impressive half-centuries.Bangladesh have been doing well after arriving in the Caribbean earlier than other sides.They won both of their warm-up matches against New Zealand and Scotland before stunning India in their opening Cup game.Whatmore was also the coach of Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning squad, but said it was premature to compare the current Bangladeshi side with that team.”With Bangladesh, it’s the similar philosophy.We all need to contribute, whether as a coach, captain, fast bowler or spinner.It’s probably a little bit premature to compare the Bangladesh team with that Sri Lankan team,” he said.”But it was a very significant victory (against India).”Nampa-AFPIt was only their second victory over a Test-playing nation in one-day cricket’s showpiece event since making their Cup debut in 1999, having beaten Pakistan eight years ago.Asked what the main difference was between the current Bangladeshi side and the previous ones, Whatmore said: “There is more self-belief.”The Bangladeshi side of two or three years ago might not to be able to overhaul the target of 192 against India.”Bangladesh comfortably surpassed India’s total of 191 in the previous game, with teenagers Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Saqibul Hasan all making impressive half-centuries.Bangladesh have been doing well after arriving in the Caribbean earlier than other sides.They won both of their warm-up matches against New Zealand and Scotland before stunning India in their opening Cup game.Whatmore was also the coach of Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning squad, but said it was premature to compare the current Bangladeshi side with that team.”With Bangladesh, it’s the similar philosophy.We all need to contribute, whether as a coach, captain, fast bowler or spinner.It’s probably a little bit premature to compare the Bangladesh team with that Sri Lankan team,” he said.”But it was a very significant victory (against India).”Nampa-AFP