Bangladesh pride Shakib Al Hasan addressed the press in the first Official press conference of the World Cup on February 8 at the Hotel Sheraton and he was typically breezy in his responses and he kept the show alive with his usual self.
Shakib was asked about facing the more experienced opponents. He answered straight way that he is good enough and old enough at this level and he is well equipped to face the challenge.
According to Shakib if he thinks the World Cup to be a big deal, then there will be pressure and for him it’s just another cricket match. Overall, he is not afraid of the oppositions, the hype of playing at home and the occasion.
Shakib addressed that playing on home soil is a bonus and with the crowd
M S Dhoni has dismissed the matter of extra pressure while playing in front of the home crowd in the World Cup. Dhoni was part of the Indian side that crashed out of the World Cup four years ago at the first hurdle. But since then under Dhoni’s leadership India has gone from strength to strength. They are now placed at number one position in the ICC Test rankings and second position in the ICC ODI ranking.
Dhoni was asked about the responsibility on his shoulders and he replied that he had been doing that for the last four years. According to him the focus is on process and preparation and then pressure isn’t a pressure any more but it’s an added responsibility. The Indian team has an ideal blend of experience
Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Ashraful have done batting look easy when on song but while the former sounds every bit confident as his bat flourishes, the latter is almost grateful for just being in the squad and looks back to the bygone days to seek inspiration. They were part of a four-man group, including Abdur Razzak and Mahmudullah Riyad, who met the reporters in an official open media session of the ICC at Dhaka’s Hotel Sheraton yesterday, as part of the build-up to the World Cup.
Tamim, who rocked world cricket with his audacious half-century against India four years ago, is now an established opener and the vice-captain while Ashraful would find it hard to get a spot in the middle-order.
Their cricket will never have a dull moment. There will always be some petty quarrels and ego clashes in Pakistan cricket and above all their cricket will always be at the center of big controversies. In recent times Pakistan cricket has been marred with plenty of controversies and for the last 6 months they had been in the news not for any cricketing reasons. But still they manage to win series in style. Still they continue to gel together and deliver the best and still they did not crumble under pressure. They had been omitted from being the host for the World Cup and which still hurts all the Pakistanis. They are being cornered by all the unwanted events that plagued their cricket. And this cornered Pakistan is dangerous.
In the 2003 World Cup in the middle of the tournament the Aussies lost their premium fast bowler Jason Gillespie but despite that they went on to win the World Cup. And Andy Bichel, the replacement for Gillespie proved too hot for the oppositions both with the bat and ball. Again, in the 2007 edition, just before the start of the World Cup, the Aussies speed merchant Brett Lee was injured and was omitted from the World Cup. But his replacement Shaun Tait with his breezy stuffs blew away the oppositions. Now, before the start of this year's edition the dependable Michael Hussey is being omitted along with Nathan Haruitz due to injuries. Well, since 2003, injuries during or before the World Cup are proving quite as a blessing
I was surprised not to see Sreesanth in the Indian World Cup squad. Cricket's greatest stage will certainly miss some spicy stuffs and thinking that I was quite upset. But thankfully Sree is there to boost the Indian attack, courtesy the injury of Praveen Kumar. To partner the wily Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth is the best person. Sree might be erratic but mind you if the erratic characters finds rhythm and become disciplined then they are too hard to encounter. Sreesanth proved that in the recent Test series against South Africa. Sreesanth's aggression what attracts me most. What is fast bowling without aggression. Sreesanth's antics on the field will certainly add a bit extra spice and colour to the World Cup. His run towards the
After so many assumptions, talks, debate, argument Bangladesh cricket board’s chief selector Mr. Shamim declared the 15 man squad for the up coming world cup today at 1:30 pm. But their declaration hurt the expectations of the cricket fans of Bangladesh who wanted their champion bowler Mashrafe Mortaza in the squad. But Mashrafe has been omitted from the squad by giving reason of injury, which he suffered in December.
The Australian surgeon hinted that Mashrafe would be back in the squad and will be available for the world cup. But the selectors didn’t think so. Mashrafe had begun bowling off a short run-up during net sessions in the last few days but the selectors decided against including him in the campaign.
