It's party time for Bangladesh by AFP

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Event:

ICC World Cup 2006/07

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DateLine: 18th March 2007

 

The party began for Bangladesh after their stunning World Cup win over India, but skipper Habibul Bashar reminded team-mates they soon have to focus on the next match.

 

"It's very hard to keep your feet on the ground. The boys are not stopping jumping in the dressing-room," he said.

 

"It's very important victory for Bangladesh cricket, but tomorrow we will have to focus again on the next match."

 

Bangladesh pulled off one of the major upsets of the tournament when they beat former champions India by five wickets with nine balls to spare at the Queen's Park Oval here on Saturday.

 

They enjoyed their biggest day in the one-day event when they successfully chased India's total of 191, with teenagers Tamim Iqbal (51), Mushfiqur Rahim (56 not out) and Saqibul Hasan (53) playing vital knocks.

 

It was their third victory in the tournament since making their Cup debut in 1999 and only the second against a Test-playing nation after beating Pakistan in England. They failed to win a match in the next edition in South Africa.

 

The Bangladeshi captain said coming early to the West Indies helped the team get used to the conditions.

 

"Coming early here had a huge impact. It helped us know the conditions, including pitches. The win against New Zealand gave us a lot of confidence. We realised if we do the job properly, we can beat the big guns," he said.

 

The Bangladeshi skipper was referring to his team's two-wicket victory over Stephen Fleming's New Zealanders in a warm-up game at Bridgetown in Barbados.

 

Bashar said the victory over India had boosted the team's confidence, but they would have to play good, competitive cricket in the remaining two games against Sri Lanka and debutants Bermuda to book a berth in the next round.

 

"As a team, we have put up a good show. This means a lot and now we can hope to go into the second round. We have a young team and we fielded well. I hope they continue," he said.

 

"Beating India is not an easy thing. It is a very important group and we have got to play hard in every game."

 

It was Bangladesh's second win over India in 15 one-day internationals.

 

Bashar was all praise for his bowlers, saying paceman Mashrafe Mortaza and left-arm spinners Abdur Razzak and Mohammad Rafique did extremely well to contain the famed Indian batting line-up on a good wicket.

 

"Mortaza was terrific. If your opening bowler takes wickets in his first spell, then you can hope to bowl the opposition out for less than 200," said the Bangladeshi captain.

 

The fast bowler did the early damage when he jolted India with two early wickets and went on to finish with 4-38. He was named man of the match. Razzak and Rafique then grabbed three wickets apiece.

 

"It is not easy bowling against this Indian batting line-up in middle overs, but the spinners did very well," said Bashar.

 

The Bangladeshi skipper dedicated the win to compatriot Manjural Islam, who died in a road accident near Dhaka on the eve of the match.

 

"We dedicate this victory to Manjural Islam," Bashar said of his team-mate who played six Tests and 25 one-day internationals.

 

Mortaza also dedicated his man-of-the-match award to "my best friend".

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)