Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Pressure is on India not Bangladesh, say Ashraful and Bashar

India may be outright favourites in the Champions Trophy semi-final clash against Bangladesh but the defending champions will be under more pressure, former Bangladesh captains Mohammad Ashraful and Habibul Bashar said today.

"Aar ektu upare jete chai (having come all the way, we badly don't want to miss out on a final spot now)," said Bashar, who led Bangladesh to their epic 2007 World Cup win over India at Port of Spain.


Bangladesh beat New Zealand in Cardiff from being 33 for 4 in a sensational run chase before their progress was confirmed when fancied Australia, plagued by two rain-hit games, lost to England the next day June 10.

"We have previously reached Asia Cup final. But no doubt this is the biggest moment in the history of Bangladesh cricket. It's like mini World Cup. India are the defending champions it's no secret that they will be under more pressure. We have an experienced side and we need a team effort," the current selector said.

The 44-year-old said their bowlers will hold the key but according him the biggest "threat" will be Indian opener Rohit Sharma whose 137 in their 2015 World Cup quarterfinal win is "still fresh" in his mind.

"We not only need early breakthroughs but will have to ensure that we keep striking. I'm a big fan of Rohit Sharma and his wicket will be the key," he said referring to Sharma's century after being given not out on 90 as Rubel's delivery was called a no-ball in a dubious decision.

Now-exiled Ashraful also said pressure would be on India and added only one-two percent separates both the teams.

"If Sri Lanka can beat them, why not us? From 33/4 we could win against the Kiwis. I'm sure they will give their best and the match will be a tough for both the teams," Ashraful said.

He further said Bangladesh have got under India's skin a few times in the recent past but not able to clinch the issue.

"It's still hard to believe the shocking one-run loss in World Twenty20 last year. We have troubled them but India have won. Hopefully, it's our day tomorrow."

"For us this is our first semifinal and we are more than happy. But India have the weight of expectations from 1.3 billion people. It's for them to defend the title," Ashraful said.

Ashraful has served three years of his suspension for involvement in spot-fixing in the 2013 Bangladesh Premier League.

The former Bangladesh captain will only be eligible to play International cricket from 2018 and he remembered their famous win over Australia in Cardiff where he scored a century against the likes of veteran Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie in 2005.

"Cardiff has been lucky to us, wish our semifinal match was there. The momentum was with us having beaten New Zealand (in the Ireland Tri-Nation series) last month."

"We also posted 300-plus against England in our first match. We knew we had it in us to go all the way," Ashraful said.

Man-of-the-match Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah scripted centuries in their five-wicket win over New Zealand but Ashraful felt the inclusion of offspin-allrounder Masaddek Hossain was the key.

Ashraful said Bangladesh should go for out and out pace attack in Rubel Hossain and Taskin Ahmed with the new ball while Mashrafe Mortaza and Mustafizur Rahman coming in as change bowlers.

"If we can take three wickets inside the Powerplay, it will give us the momentum. Rubel and Taskin can bowl 140-plus and we should attack the Indian openers," Ashraful said.

Ashraful further hoped they had someone like Hardik Pandya.

"A pace bowling allrounder is something we are missing at the moment. To top it, Pandya's ability as a finisher will put them ahead," he concluded.

More For You

Sanjog Gupta

Gupta previously served as CEO of JioStar Sports, a role he took up following the $8.5 billion merger between Reliance Industries and Walt Disney’s Indian media assets in November last year. (Photo: X/@HomeOfCricket)

X/@HomeOfCricket

Sanjog Gupta appointed ICC CEO, succeeds Geoff Allardice

THE International Cricket Council (ICC) has named Sanjog Gupta as its new chief executive officer, replacing Geoff Allardice. The announcement was made on Monday.

Gupta previously served as CEO of JioStar Sports, a role he took up following the $8.5 billion merger between Reliance Industries and Walt Disney’s Indian media assets in November last year. He becomes the ICC’s seventh CEO.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lando Norris

Norris moves to four wins in 2025

Getty Images

Lando Norris savours special Silverstone win despite injury

Key points

  • Lando Norris wins the British Grand Prix at Silverstone for the first time
  • Celebrations briefly disrupted after he was hit in the nose by trophy
  • McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri penalised, costing him potential victory
  • Norris moves to four wins in 2025, just one behind Piastri
  • Drivers now head into a two-week summer break before Belgian GP

Lando Norris fulfils dream with British GP victory

Lando Norris described winning his home race at Silverstone as a “very, very special” moment, despite picking up a minor injury during the post-race celebrations. The McLaren driver delivered a brilliant performance in constantly changing weather conditions to secure his first British Grand Prix win and fourth of the season.

The race also highlighted the strength of the McLaren team, with both Norris and Oscar Piastri showing exceptional pace. However, a controversial penalty handed to Piastri during a safety car period ended hopes of a 1-2 finish for the team.

Keep ReadingShow less
India vs England

The win was India’s first Test victory in nine matches at Edgbaston, where they had previously suffered seven defeats and a draw.

Getty Images

India level series with big win over England as Akash Deep takes 10 wickets

INDIA defeated England by 336 runs in the second Test at Edgbaston on Sunday, levelling the five-match series 1-1. Akash Deep, playing in place of rested pacer Jasprit Bumrah, took 10 wickets in the match — his first 10-wicket haul in Test cricket.

England were bowled out for 271 while chasing a target of 608. Deep took 6-99 in the second innings, ending with match figures of 10-147 — the best of his eight-Test career so far.

Keep ReadingShow less
Shubman-Gill-Getty

Gill's 430 runs in the match made him only the fifth batter to score over 400 in a single Test. (Photo: Getty Images)

Gill sets Test record as England face massive chase at Edgbaston

INDIA captain Shubman Gill became the first batter in Test history to score 250 and 150 in the same match, before Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep struck early to put India in control of the second Test at Edgbaston on Saturday.

Gill followed his first-innings 267 with 161 off 162 balls in the second innings. India declared at 427-6 after tea on the fourth day, setting England a target of 608 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Keep ReadingShow less
F1 Silverstone 2025 qualifying

Lewis Hamilton is optimistic about Ferrari's chances at the 2025 British Grand Prix

Getty Images

F1 qualifying time boost for Ferrari as Hamilton impresses at Silverstone 2025

Key points

  • Lewis Hamilton topped FP1 and finished third in FP2 at Silverstone
  • Ferrari's pace encouraging despite rivals bringing major upgrades
  • Hamilton targeting strong weekend, focused on car improvements
  • Charles Leclerc also positive on Ferrari's race pace ahead of F1 qualifying time
  • Silverstone qualifying 2025 set to be highly competitive

Hamilton leads strong start for Ferrari at Silverstone

Lewis Hamilton is optimistic about Ferrari's chances at the 2025 British Grand Prix following an encouraging performance during Friday practice at Silverstone. The seven-time World Champion topped the timesheets in Free Practice 1 and secured P3 in the afternoon session, marking one of his best Fridays since joining Ferrari earlier this year.

“It was a really good day,” said Hamilton. “Great to see the crowd. Amazing to be out on track in a Ferrari here at Silverstone.”

Keep ReadingShow less