[capslock]

For those of you who think Indian media are only looking to bash us....

Bangladesh looking to outbat India
Cricket News / Ashish Shukla
Print Comment Mail

PORT OF SPAIN, March 13: Bangladesh, surprise of surprises, believes India has a weaker bowling attack and is looking to outbat them in their clash of Group B in the 2007 World Cup on Saturday.

"Our batting will be the key against India. They must take advantage of a slightly weaker Indian bowling attack. If we can upset either India or Sri Lanka, we can progress to the second round," remarked Aminul Islam, first Test captain of the Bangladesh team.

Bangladesh has been in irresistible touch in recent times. It has beaten both New Zealand and Scotland in their warm-up games. They also beat Bermuda and Canada in a triangular series which preceded these warm-up matches. Bangladesh had also thrashed Zimbabwe 3-1 in a four-match series before embarking for the West Indies.

Bangladesh is basing its' form on their in-form batsmen who have been in superb nicks in recent times. Shahriar Nafees and Saqibul Hasan have smashed hundreds while Mohammad Ashraful and Habibul Bashar have helped themselves to half centuries in the Caribbean. Nafees, a young player of immense promise, completed 1000 one-day runs last year.

Bangladesh' bowling too has been in news for right reasons. Mashrafee bin Murtaza has taken 49 wickets, the highest by an international bowler last year while Abdur Razzak ran him close with 45 scalps.

Many reckon it's the best Bangladesh side ever to have played in a World Cup. They have had a fair share of wins in recent years, having beaten both Sri Lanka and India, their group B opponents, as well as mighty Australians in 2005.

"If the players adapt well, they have a good chance. There is a lot of expectations going into the tournament. It usually rubs off positively upon the players and make them work harder," remarks Khaled Mashud, who has been controversially left out of the team for the 2007 World Cup.

Aminul though doesn't forget the issues which can dog Bangladesh team in this World Cup.

"It doesn't have enough all-rounders, a must in one-day cricket and looks more like a Test outfit," remarked Aminul "Our bowling is also weak as both the spinners are left-arm spinners.'

Aminul also feels the team lacks a pinch hitter.

"Someone who can score a quick-fire 30 or 40 in the end gives the scoring rate the impetus, like Lance Klusener did for South Africa in the 1999 World Cup. However we don't have one."

Aminul also expressed doubt if Mashrafee is completely fit for the tournament.