Prospects for a successful campaign looked as dark as a stormy winter night before to the T20 World Cup 2024, especially after Bangladesh’s defeat in the qualifying series against co-hosts USA. Making it to the Super 8s seemed unattainable, even for the most sanguine supporters. Bangladesh’s group-stage results, however, have stunned and many in awe since the competition began, including former Pakistani captain Mohammad Hafeez.
Speaking on PTV Sports’ Game On Hai, Hafeez said that the cricketing community as a whole, including himself, thought Bangladesh could qualify and make a significant impression.
Even though Bangladesh had a history of underperforming in important ICC competitions, he pointed out that this time, particularly following their humiliating bilateral series loss to the USA, they displayed the right demeanour and body language throughout the group stage. The 43-year-old said they were admirable for their on-field skill and their right attitude towards the game.
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We are all aware of their ability to do it and earn a Super 8 ranking. They have consistently underperformed when you consider their entire journey. However, after losing the series against the US, they returned stronger and displayed the proper body language and attitude towards the game of cricket,” Hafeez said on the PTV Sports programme Game On Hai.
The professor added that he was especially pleased with Bangladesh’s tenacity in their hotly contested encounter in New York versus South Africa. In a game where they led for most of the game, they lost by just four runs, but their perseverance was admirable. He said he expected Bangladesh to play well and added that he would personally be thrilled to see Bangladesh reach the semi-finals, given that other Asian countries Pakistan and Sri Lanka had already been eliminated from the competition.
“They were really confident coming into the competition after that game. I anticipate Bangladesh to perform well. “Now that the Asian giants, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, have been eliminated from the competition, I would personally like to see them advance to the semifinals,” Hafeez continued.
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