Published: Sep 22, 2018, 09:38 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 22, 2018, 09:37 PM (IST)
Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan believes that despite his team’s recent struggles against Afghanistan, they are a much better team on account of their overall experience and that they have the capability to beat them when they square off for the second time in the ongoing Asia Cup 2018.
When the two sides faced each other in the group stage, Afghanistan recorded a big 136-run win. Bangladesh, who started the tournament by thumping Sri Lanka, then lost to India on Friday. They now have to beat Afghanistan in their second match of the Super Four stage on Sunday to keep their hopes of making the final alive.
“We have been in this type of situation in the past and we did overcome,” Shakib was quoted as saying by Bdcrictime on Saturday. “So, I feel we have the capability (to come back). We will have to try to play our normal game which we are used to. Although the circumstances won’t be that easy but there’s no reason why we can’t.”
While acknowledging Afghanistan’s performance in the UAE, Shakib said Bangladesh are a better side having more experience of beating bigger teams.
“Afghanistan have played a lot better than us in this Asia Cup,” he said. “But I believe we are a better side than them and that’s how we should perform tomorrow (Sunday). We have won more matches against bigger teams than them. Moreover, we are above them on the rankings,” he said.
He further added, “Our target should be to think about our own game and not worrying about the opposition. If we can do the things right then we can defeat any team in one-dayers.”
