Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha said on Friday that they are not too focussed on the Champions Trophy qualification scenario as they prepare to take on Australia in their last game of the World Cup campaign.
Bangladesh was the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup during the league phase after six defeats on the trot following their win in the opening game against Afghanistan. Bangladesh looked like they would lose out on a top 8 finish to make it to the Champions Trophy in 2025 in Pakistan but made a strong comeback against Sri Lanka. And with Sri Lanka losing again, this time to New Zealand, Bangladesh received a massive boost and now they just have to ensure they don't lose by a big margin in their last game against Australia.
"Of course, that defeat (Sri Lanka losing to New Zealand) has some kind of effect, depending on our game. At the moment I can't think of that scenario," Hathurusingha told reporters ahead of their game against Australia at Pune on Friday.
"We have to play this game, tomorrow's game. So that's what's going through my mind is that we have to actually play good cricket to beat Australia. That's all we are focussing on," he said adding that Shakib Al Hasan will be missed in their crucial game as he is ruled out of the tournament after fracturing his finger during their last game against Sri Lanka.
"When you have someone like Shakib's calibre, number one all-rounder, it's two players in one so it's hard to do much with the combination. So, we will definitely want to fill his bowling vacuum with another spinner or a fast bowler. It's batting we're going to miss and his leadership. So, it's hard."
Hathurusingha also refused to comment on the futures of experienced campaigners Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah while reserving rich praise for them. "Oh, they (Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim) had a wonderful journey overall. For a cricketer to play four World Cups is very, very unique and then for Bangladesh cricket, I don't know whether they are playing their last one. So, to be honest, they're still very fit. They're still performing. It's up to them individually to decide that one. So, I can't comment," he said.
"But then to play four World Cup - one guy is five, I think, is it? Mushfiqur and Shakib played five. So, it's wonderful, I mean, anyone playing or start playing cricket and dreaming of playing five. And they have been the best of Bangladesh cricket in the short journey of Bangladesh cricket. If they decided to quit, It's a change of baton kind of thing for Bangladesh cricket," he said.
