DHAKA, Oct 30, 2023 (BSS)-Despite being at their lowest ebb following five
defeats on the trot in the ICC Cricket World Cup, Bangladesh captain Shakib
Al Hasan believes the players will be motivated enough to win the game when
they take on Pakistan tomorrow (Tuesday) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

The motivation actually stemmed from the hopes to play the ICC Champions
Trophy in Pakistan in 2025, for which Bangladesh need to finish at top eight.

A place in the top eight will be guaranteed if the Tigers could win at least
two matches in the last three games in the World Cup. Bangladesh currently
are in ninth place, one place higher than bottom table defending champions
England, thanks to better run rate.
 
Mathematically Bangladesh's semifinal hopes are still on paper but there is
lot of ifs and buts involved here.

"I think more than me, the whole team talked about what we need to do.
There is a lot to play for. As you know, we have to win to be able to qualify
for the Champions Trophy. That's an important target I think we can set at
this moment and to do that we have to win. We have no other options and
that's what we would look to do," Shakib said during the pre-match conference
today in Kolkata.

"Target is to try to win, do our best and look for the two points that are to
take. So, we'll try our best to do that," he added.

Following their dismal performance that included a shock defeat to
Netherlands in the last match, many saw the demise of Bangladesh cricket. It
is believed that after that defeat at the hands of Dutch, it would be tough
for Bangladesh to win any match in the World Cup.

But Shakib refused to give up the hopes, saying: "Talk is cheap when it's not
working. So, we'll do it at the ground so the action can take care of it and
everyone can see it."

"We discussed about it (dismal performance), we had our team meetings, so we
sat down, we talked about it, how we can overcome the situation we are in
now, but we have to show it in action," he added.

"I mean, only us, we can change the situation of the team with our action. So
that's what we are trying to do," Shakib said.

Pakistan also haven't been in a position to be relaxed. After winning the
first two matches, they lost four straight matches, which put their semifinal
hopes in jeopardy. A win against Bangladesh is necessary for them to revive
the hopes.

Shakib is also aware of that but said the only thing which is in his head now
is to win the game at any cost.

"I don't want to rate any team at this moment. We have a very important match
tomorrow, which we want to win. Same thing I think goes with Pakistan as
well. They want to win as well. So, the team that will play better, will win.
We'll try our best to play better than Pakistan so that we can win the
match," the ace all-rounder remarked.