ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Shakib Al Hasan optimistic about Bangladesh’s chances for semi-finals

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan is positive about Bangladesh making it to the semi-finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan is still optimistic about the team’s chances of reaching the semi-finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, despite the team being placed in the 7th spot in the points table. Bengal tigers have just one win in four matches so far.

Their upcoming match is against South Africa in Mumbai. The last match Proteas played in Mumbai was against England, and they posted 399 runs on the board, and won the game easily. While this will not be an easy match for Bangladesh, the skipper is upbeat about the team’s performance.

Bangladesh tigers have lost three World Cup matches, including a seven-wickets set-back to India in Pune. The top-four teams from the round-robin phase, which includes all 10 competing teams, will advance to the knock-out stages.

‘We will regain our momentum if we beat South Africa,' says Shakib Al Hasan

In a press-conference before the match, Shakib expressed optimism about their chances and the importance of defeating South Africa to regain momentum.

“South Africa has won three out of their four matches, putting them in a favourable position. However, that doesn't mean it's all over for us. We still have five matches left, and tomorrow we have a significant game against South Africa. If we can secure a victory in that match, we will regain our momentum and find ourselves in a very promising position,” Shakib told reporters in Mumbai.

He pointed out that, despite their small number of victories, their current position in the points table is better than it could have been, with the results of other teams' games currently working in their favour. Shakib stressed that it's now their responsibility to control their destiny.

“Even though we haven’t won many games, our position in the points table is not as bad as it could be. The outcomes of other teams’ matches are favouring us at the moment. However, now it’s our responsibility to take control of our destiny,” he added.

Bangladesh’s record against South Africa in the recent past, especially in previous World Cups, provides them with a favourable chance in the upcoming contest. Three of South Africa's six ODI defeats to Bangladesh have occurred in the last four years, including a memorable victory by 21 runs during the 2019 World Cup.