Published: Mar 17, 2015, 10:24 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 17, 2015, 10:24 PM (IST)
Melbourne: The 2007 upset still quite fresh in their minds, all that the Bangladeshi journalists obsessed over during their interaction with star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was the percentage of the team’s chances of an encore in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 quarterfinal against India here.
There were some passionate queries and they would refuse to accept anyone who would tell them that Bangladesh has less than 40 percent chance of winning against India the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS
In fact, Shakib had to remain patient as he answered repeated queries on how everyone wants the team to do a repeat of 2007 when Port of Spain had become ‘Port of Pain’ for Rahul Dravid‘s men. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage
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The reference of the 2007 victory was brought in English and Bengali at least five times during the lengthy media interaction.
The second most asked question was “what is the percentage of Bangladesh’s chance against India”. The third question that appeared in the loop was expectation of people back home.
Sample this. During the English session, one of the Bangladeshi scribes asked Shakib, “Experts are not giving us more than 10 percent chance, what do you have to say about this?” ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE
To this Shakib gave a very practical reply.
“I don’t know. It depends on the day. We need to start well. If we keep that momentum anything is possible. Yes, on paper, India is a better team than Bangladesh. No one has any doubt about it. On the day it’s a one-off game. If we have a good day and they have a bad day, you never know.” Top 10 batsmen in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
But the ‘Percentage Story’ didn’t end there. When the Bengali round started, one of the scribes then asked, “Our people back home want to know what is the percentage that you would like to quote as far as our chances of winning is concerned. Would you say it’s 50 percent?” Top 10 bowlers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
A smiling Shakib did reply but the sarcasm was not lost on anyone. Top 10 fielders in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
“Actually, it doesn’t help calculating percentages. It entirely depends on how one performs on the field of play,” Shakib said.
If this wasn’t enough, the next was pretty weird by any standards. Top 10 wicketkeepers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
“Do you feel pressure or problem when you have to attend a press conference and face questions from the media or you find it as an inspiration?” asked another scribe. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Pool-wise Team Standings
Shakib again with a straight-face replied, “Neither it’s a problem nor an inspiration talking to the press. I don’t see it that way. We are professional players and it’s a duty [talking] that we need to fulfil. That’s about it.”
Asked if playing the 300th ODI for Bangladesh will act as a “motivation” for players, Shakib gave a mature answer.
“It is a big occasion for Bangladesh cricket. I don’t think you need extra motivation as the occasion is big enough to motivate the players.”
The only time he looked a flummoxed but recovered quickly is when he was asked whether the team would like to dedicate the match to late Bangladeshi cricketer Manjural Islam Rana, who died in a motorbike accident back in March 2007, a day before that memorable win in Port of Spain.
“No actually, we haven’t yet discussed anything but we have to see what we can do. We will discuss about it,” Shakib evaded a sensitive “bouncer”.
