File Photo

DHAKA, Feb 19, 2025 (BSS)- In a bid to make a winning start to the Champions 
Trophy, Bangladesh face off mighty sub-continent opponents India at Dubai 
International Cricket Stadium tomorrow (Thursday). 

The match starts at 3pm (Bangladesh time). 

"A winning start always gives a momentum," Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain 
Shanto said in a pre-match conference in Dubai today. "So naturally the only 
target is to make a good start by winning the game. We have to play our best 
cricket."

Bangladesh set a bold target to lift the Champions Trophy this time despite 
their ODI performance took a huge nosedive since the 2023 World Cup in India.
 
Considered an ODI giant, Bangladesh won just four in 12 matches they played 
after the 2023 World Cup.

Even the experts didn't rate Bangladesh highly ahead of the Champions Trophy. 
Legends like Ricky Ponting, AB de Villiers were straightforward in their 
assessment, saying Bangladesh don't have the quality to stun the bigger 
opponents in the cut-throat competition, where all matches are considered as 
knock out game.

Bangladesh, pitted in Group A, also have to face off teams like New Zealand 
and hosts Pakistan.

"We need to play as a unit. If we can play as a team, we can beat any 
opponents on any day," Shanto argued.

"I think if you look at all eight teams, they are quality teams. And against 
India, Pakistan, New Zealand, we have good memories."

While the pundits wrote off Bangladesh's chance, Shanto's confidence stemmed 
from their recent record against India. The Tigers won three out of five 
encounters against the sub-continent rivals. 

Moreover, there is no secret that the players remain highly pumped-up when 
they play against India.
 
"We won a couple of matches (against India) in recent times. Last year, when 
we played against India in Bangladesh, we have some good memories from then."

"But that is past, I think if we play well tomorrow and execute our plan, we 
will have a good match."
Overall Bangladesh and India played 41 ODIs, with India winning 32 and 
Bangladesh 8. One match was washed out.

But in ICC event, Bangladesh have never beaten India, since their landmark 
victory in 2007 World Cup. That was the one and only time Bangladesh could 
beat India in global tournament.
 
The Tigers moved to the semifinal of the last Champions Trophy in 2017 in 
England, which remains their best result in an ICC event. Bangladesh, 
however, lost the semifinal game to India by nine wickets.

India, later, were beaten by Pakistan in the final to squander the chance of 
lifting the trophy.

Shanto said the Dubai condition is another reason which gives them a 
confidence to beat India.

The slow pitch of Dubai is considered to be a Bangladesh-like pitch and India 
of late struggled in this kind of pitch.

"I think we have to play well in all departments-- batting, bowling, 
fielding-- because I think the way we played the last few years in this 
format, I think we have a good side," Shanto said.

"And as you mentioned the conditions are quite similar. I'm really confident 
that we will prepare ourselves well. I hope for the best for tomorrow's 
match."

Bangladesh squad: 

Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Towhid Hridoy, 
Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 
Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum 
Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Nahid Rana.