I believe we are capable enough to win against India: Shakib Al Hasan

Tags: Cricket World Cup 2019, Bangladesh Vs Afghanistan,31st Match at Southampton,Jun 24, 2019, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan

Published on: Jun 25, 2019

Scorecard | Commentary | Graphs

All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan starred with both bat and ball as Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan by 62 runs on Monday to keep their semi-final hopes alive.

All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan starred with both bat and ball as Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan by 62 runs on Monday to keep their semi-final hopes alive. Shakib led the way yet again, this time with an all-round show with 51 and five wickets as Afghanistan remained winless in World Cup 2019.

Post the victory, Shakib expressed confidence that the team can beat India as well, their next opponent in the World Cup. Bangladesh had stunned world cricket by defeating a flat Indian side in the 2007 edition.

"We have a very important game coming up against India, they are the top side and they are someone who is looking at the title. It is not going to be easy but we will give our best shot. We have to play our best cricket to beat India, they have got world-class players who can take the matches on their own hands. We have to at our best and I believe we are capable enough team," Shakib Al Hasan said in a video that was posted by ICC.

Speaking of the match against Afghanistan, the all-rounder felt the team implemented their plans properly, first with the bat when they posted a challenging 250 plus, and then with the ball as well.

"We thought we had enough runs on the board. It was not a wicket where a team can score 300 or 350. We knew that it is always going to be difficult because they got three quality spinners and we had to handle them well. I think we did that pretty well that is why we scored 262 runs. Our target was to play 50 overs and score 240 runs, it was our minimum target," he added.

The all-rounder explained that the plan with the ball was to keep things tight and thus build pressure on Afghanistan, knowing it was not an easy wicket to bat on.

"We knew that it was not an easy wicket. So, we needed to make sure that we put them under pressure with the dot balls and that is exactly what we have done. We were never sure that we are going to beat Afghanistan because they are a dangerous side and a very good side. So, we needed to make sure that we do our job properly and give our 100 percent and in the end, results will take care of itself," he further said.

The India-Bangladesh clash will be held on July 2.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

Related News