Bangladesh Head Coach Chandika Hathurusingha prior to the semi-final clash against India, revealed the Tigers are eyeing to play aggressive brand of cricket against a quality side which is favourites for the eight-team tournament, in the ongoing 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, adding youngsters has a chance to showcase their talent while having rarest of the occasion on an offer to display.
“If we play to our maximum potential then we can challenge any team. Attention to details will be the key. The young players have to take this opportunity with both hands. We have a good skilled team and also have the right combination of youth and experience,” Hathurusingha was quoted as saying by News18.
However, Hathurusingha further believes the morale of the team is quite high after clinching a historic win against quality side New Zealand and the players are aiming to give their best in the summit clash which is scheduled at Edgbaston on Thursday (June 15) while insisting they are not aiming at the revenge, as they will take the game just like other game in the fixture.
“We are taking it as any other game. There are no special preparations and we are preparing by thinking of it as any other game,” Hathurusingha maintained.
After the superlative show from Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad against the Kiwis, Hathurusingha admitted boys have had put in extra effort to expect results in their favour after England helped Bangladesh to make into the final four which further saw a century from Ben Stokes knocking Australia out of the eighth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy.
“We set our targets to do well overseas, and this is the fruit of that journey. That was a real turning point, after that we wanted to do well at home which we have done,” Hathurusingha added.
Moreover, Hathurusingha is hopeful of his wards to give their hundred per cent in the game as he feels the players as a unit has responded well and is confident of seniors to step up and play their part alongside youngsters.
Hathurusingha has admitted the players could feel the heat during their first ever semi-final of the multilateral event which is also dubbed as ‘Mini’ World Cup as the latter has urged the side is looking to play more cricket at home and away.
“The past doesn’t matter. I don’t think many people even gave us a chance of reaching the semi-final. Now is our chance to show the world about how far we have come, and hopefully enjoy the game,” Hathurusingha remarked.
While praising India for having quality players in the side and settled unit which made the job easy for the Men in Blue, Hathurusingha stated his team has to pull up the socks – to give hard-fought battle against India; be it while batting, bowling or either fielding.
“India has world class players, and we have plans for every player but the plans do not work all the time. That is the reason they are world class players,” Hathurusingha concluded.
While making the statement over the entrance of Bangladesh into the semi-finals, Hathurusingha expressed satisfaction over the performance of the team in general while revealing they are plugging in the loopholes, before wrestling out against in-form India.