Asia Cup 2023: You Cannot Think Of World Cup With The Asia Cup... - Bangladesh Captain Shakib Al Hasan
Published - 26 Aug 2023, 08:50 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:17 AM
Bangladesh’s newly-appointed skipper Shakib Al Hasan made a bold statement ahead of the Asia Cup 2023. He reiterated that his side is not looking at the tournament as a preparation for the ICC World Cup 2023 as both events are different.
Shakib Al Hasan’s comments came during the press conference he attended with head coach Chandika Hathurusingha. The all-rounder took up the role of leading the side in ODIs after Tamim Iqbal stepped down as the captain of the team to focus on his game.
Shakib Al Hasan said that even if his team didn’t do well in the Asia Cup 2023, that doesn’t mean the chances of Bangladesh not doing well in the World Cup will increase. He added that they will think about the World Cup when it comes but currently, they are just focused on reaching the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup.
Speaking to reporters, he explained: “You cannot think of the World Cup with the Asia Cup because they are two different tournaments. Yes if we can do well and develop as a good team in the Asia Cup, in that case, we have a good chance to do well in the World Cup and from that point of view Asia Cup is important.
“But it is not like if we do badly in the Asia Cup will imply that there is no chance for us in the World Cup nor if we do great will suggest that our chances in the World Cup will increase substantially.
“Now the whole plan is based on the Asia Cup and the preparation and team is prepared accordingly. When we finish the Asia Cup at that point World Cup will come and we will think about it at that point of time. Now we are thinking only about Asia Cup and more precisely we are only thinking about Afghanistan, Sri Lanka game.”
Asia Cup 2023: Our aim is to qualify for the second round first – Chandika Hathurusingha echoes Shakib Al Hasan’s comment
Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha voiced Shakib Al Hasan’s comment. He also stated that their main focus is to qualify for the Super 4 of the Asia Cup and then they will look forward.
He explained: “Definitely, our aim is to qualify for the second round first. As you said, we are playing in Sri Lanka against Sri Lanka. They’re a very good team at home. And then, we are playing Afghanistan in Pakistan and lately, they played here and they won the series. So, there are big challenges, but we are up for it.”
Bangladesh will play the tournament opener against Sri Lanka on 31st August and after that, they will be travelling to Pakistan to play against Afghanistan on 3rd September.
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