It's tough, but we can win World Cup: Mushfiqur Rahim

Bangladeshi wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim believes that his team has the ability to go all the way in the upcoming ICC World Cup and eventually get their hands on the coveted trophy. The 31-year-old cricketer, who recovered from an injury recently and is set to play in his fourth World Cup, also believes that the format of the tournament in which all teams will play against each other will be challenging. He though also conceded that the change will suit Bangladesh.

Ten teams will be locking horns against each other before the top four progress to the semi-finals. Bangladesh, who will kick off their WC campaign against South Africa at the Oval on June 2, have established themselves as a competitive side in the limited-over versions and fallen short of winning trophies narrowly on quite a few occasions. In the 2015 WC played in Australia and New Zealand, Bangladesh produced their best result of the tournament, going all the way to the quarter-finals where they lost to India.

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Interestingly, Bangaladesh while playing on the English surface during ICC Champions Trophy 2017 made their way through to the semi-finals before getting knocked out by 2013 Champions – India.

Speaking about the Bangladesh squad for the WC, Rahim said it was one of the best that the country has had in recent times. “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,” icc-cricket.com quoted the cricketer who has over 10,000 runs in international cricket as saying.

When asked whether Bangladesh can go all the way to win the tournament, Rahim said: “it’s 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.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bangladesh will play their first World Cup game against South Africa. 
• Mushfiqur Rahim believes that Morataza is playing its last World Cup. 
• Bangladesh made it to the semi-finals in 2017 Champions Trophy.