Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza was not inclined to loss his sleep, thinking too much about India’s strength as he believed that his side can beat anybody else if they can play to their true potential.
The Tigers have the experience to beat India in World Cup in 2007, when a youthful stunned India by five wickets. Mashrafe led the victory, claiming 4-38 while the then juniors– Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim chipped– in-with classy half-centuries.
Recalling the match, Mashrafe Mortaza has urged the teammates to drum up the spirit of 2007 in a bid to keep their World Cup dreams alive as they take on India at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Tuesday.
Bangladesh are currently sixth in the table and three points behind fourth-placed England, meaning a defeat would end their semi-final chances ahead of the final round of games. India, who sit second, can confirm a semi- final place of their own with a win.
India also have history on their side. They have won the last two World Cup meetings between the teams and lead the overall ODI head-to-head record 29-5, while Bangladesh have not beaten their rivals outside of Dhaka since that famous win in Port of Spain.
However, the Tigers arrive in form, with two wins from their last three World Cup matches as India suffered their first defeat of the tournament against England on Sunday.
Mashrafe is, however, under no illusions as to the size of the task they face against the top-ranked ODI side in the world.
