ICC World Cup 2019: Mashrafe Mortaza Asks Supporters to Lower Their Expectations in the Opening Games

Bangladesh Cricket Team will be brimming with confidence after their recent victory in the tri-series involving Ireland and Windies. The fans back in the country will have a lot of expectations from them, but skipper Mashrafe Mortaza has urged the supporters to lower their suppositions as the opening games will be tough.

Read More : ICC World Cup 2019: Virat Kohli to Finish as the Highest Run-Scorer – Bookies

Mortaza asks fans to lower expectations

Meanwhile, the supporters are jubilant after Bangladesh registered their first-ever multination series win. Former India skipper and coach Anil Kumble also said that opposition teams can’t take Bangladesh lightly in the upcoming marquee event. However, Mashrafe Mortaza feels it will not be an easy task as they face tough competition at the start of the tournament.

Also read: Virat Kohli Cannot Win World Cup Single-handedly, says Sachin Tendulkar

Bangladesh will take on South Africa in their campaign opener on June 2 before taking on New Zealand and top-ranked hosts England in the next two. Mortaza who will be playing his last World Cup was realistic in his approach as they have struggled against top-tier teams in recent times.

“It will be difficult for us because our opponents in the opening three games are extremely strong,” Mashrafe told reporters. “To get a positive result against them won’t be easy,” he added.

Mashrafe Mortaza said the win had increased the expectations of Bangladesh fans, along with other recent triumphs including their semi-finals appearance at the 2017 Champions Trophy. The cricketer-cum politician said that they will need a different approach to counter the high-scoring games. England have produced flat wickets which have witnessed high-scoring encounters in recent time.

Read More: ICC World Cup 2019: It Is Good To Be Favourites – Jos Buttler

“In the last five to seven years, people have started to come to watch us with expectations that we will win,” he said. “All I can say is that the World Cup will be a different ball game. If you follow cricket in England, you will see that a lot of runs are scored. It will need a different approach,” he concluded.