XtraTime Web Desk: Former Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim believes his country has the potentiality to lift the ICC Cricket World Cup which starts from May 30. Mushfiqur will be making his fourth appearance for his country in the World Cup.
“Having most experienced players in the team, this is the strongest World Cup team that Bangladesh have ever had. We lost many finals in the recent past. Maybe, a big achievement is waiting for us in the future. It (winning) is not impossible. It is tough but possible. I personally believe that we have the ability to reach the knockout stages, and anything can happen if we can reach that point,” said Rahim in an interview to ICC.
The tournament will revert to his old format where all the teams play against each other in group stages before the top four teams making the semi final line up. According to Mushfiqur, the format will pose a stiff challenge for all the teams.
“It is a tough format, but every team will get an equal chance to prove their skill through it. I can say the format is more comfortable for Bangladesh,” said Rahim.
Talking about his personal goal, the former Bangladesh captain said, “Everyone wants to do well in a big event. I think I am no exception. I have played three World Cups and scored runs for my country. It is going to be my fourth World Cup. I will try to do something remarkable. I will be playing in the event to surpass all the previous records of mine. As a batsman, I will try to help the team according to my experience.”
It will be the last World Cup for Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza. Mushfiqur said the team is determined to do ‘something special’.
“This may be our last world cup together if Mashrafe bhai (Moshrafe Mortaza) is unable to play the next World Cup. We all want to do something special for him,” he said.
The Tigers will begin their World Cup campaign against South Africa at the Oval on June 02.