Failure to reach semis
Mash takes blame
Tigers reach home
SPORTS REPORTER, Dhaka
Bangladesh ODI skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza expressed disappointment for their World Cup performance that could not live up to their expectations, saying that he takes all the responsibility of the players and the team as well being its captain. But Mashrafe also said that there were some issues if they could bring those in their favour, their games as well as their World Cup results could have been even brighter.
Being the captain, when the team could not perform as per the expectation then I have to shoulder all the responsibilities of the players and the team as well, said Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.
Its a normal. If someone else is there in my place, he has to do the same thing. I am taking all the responsibility. I have to take it up on my shoulder, Mashrafe told media after arriving at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka from London yesterday.
Criticism sparked off across the country or the world after a series or tournament or World Cup thats very normal. At the same time, Ill say that there were some things if we could have brought it in favour, our game or result could since be different, he added.
We are disappointed because we went to ICC Cricket World Cup with the expectation what could not be reached it, said Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.
But if you look throughout the tournament where if we could get the favour of some things in the tournament, in that case, we could have gone into the semifinals of the World
Cup. I think the style of our game in World Cup was positive. At the same time, as the team we had an expectation from that place we are disappointed. We had officially chance of the semifinals till the match against India. Before that match, none of the players barring Shakib and Mushfiq had consistency. There are some things from where we get nothing favours for our luck. There was a week while rains were pouring that became ill-fated for some teams like us but the others were benefited from it. Extolling the jaw-dropping performance of Shakib, Mustafiz, Mushfiq and Saifuddin in the flagship event, the captain said that the young players they have in their team can be gone in the level of Shakib, Tamim, Mushfiq and Mahmudullah Riyad.
Shakib, Mustafiz, Mushfiq and Saifuddin performed outstanding. Others did in and out performance, the 35-year-old veteran said.
Young players are being blamed for their performance. Today those who are senior were young previously. Today young players are performing under huge pressure and Im sure, when we were young could not play under such pressure. There is no gain to blame them lopsidedly. They have tried their best.
Its a big stage. Its not so easier for youngsters to perform. Hopefully, they will go at a stage where Tamim, Shakib, Riyad and Mushfiq have reached.
The pacer-turned-captain thinks that they had some more positive sides amid their disappointing performance in the 50-over extravaganza.
As per the expectation, we could not perform in the World Cup. But if you consider our playing style, you will then say that there were many more positive sides in our games, he thought.
When asked about their possibility to be fifth after beating Pakistan, Mashrafe gave an explanation to clarify the matter, saying that they all had an expectation but when they could not live up to it what will then be placed fifth or eight or ninth in the tournament.
We all had an expectation but when we could not remain there, meaning our expectation is finished. We might be fifth if we could win the last match but it has not happened, he explained.
Bangladesh will be on tour in Sri Lanka by July 20. When asked if he is travelling the country to lead the team for the series, Mashrafe replied, Im yet to decide. I just come back home. I will decide about it later on.
