On a Tuesday morning, the cherished trophy adorned the home of cricket, the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. It was Mushfiqur’s privilege to cradle the trophy, gently placing it on an improvised display table. The national team members, who are currently stationed in Dhaka, congregated at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium to behold the trophy’s splendor and seize moments with it through photographs.
Standing beside the trophy for a photo op, Mushfiqur contemplated, “I consider myself extraordinarily fortunate to have represented Bangladesh in four World Cups. We maintain the conviction of delivering exceptional performance, aspiring to surpass our past World Cup feats.”
Mushfiqur also underlined the necessity for the Tigers, Bangladesh’s national cricket team, to excel in order to achieve greater outcomes. “A strong start is of paramount importance. Over the past four to five years, we’ve exhibited remarkable cricket in ODIs. The imminent World Cup presents an excellent opportunity for emerging players to showcase their talents. Our squad boasts a combination of youthful potential and seasoned players. I am optimistic that they will synergize effectively,” Mushfiqur elaborated.
Taskin Ahmed, the right-handed fast bowler, exhibited heightened enthusiasm during the photo session with the World Cup trophy. “Our pace unit has relentlessly invested effort over the past few years,” Taskin exclaimed. “It is truly heartening to acknowledge that our pace unit is collectively performing well. I have confidence that in the forthcoming years, we can outshine our current accomplishments.”
A prominent figure at the event was Rangana Herath, the Sri Lankan cricket legend and Bangladesh’s spin coach. He emphasized the pivotal role expected of spinners in this year’s World Cup in India. “I firmly believe spinners like Shakib (Al Hasan) and Mehidy (Hasan Miraz) will be instrumental for Bangladesh in the World Cup,” he asserted. “We are presently conducting a preparatory camp. I have unwavering faith that our spin arsenal is fully equipped to tackle any challenges that may arise.”
The World Cup trophy photo session was graced not only by members of the men’s national team but also by cricketers from the Bangladesh women’s team. Nigar Sultana Joty, captain of the women’s team, expressed her optimism, noting that the men’s team has exhibited commendable performance in ODIs, elevating expectations for this year’s World Cup.
Former captains Akram Khan, Naimur Rahman, and Khaled Mahmud also partook in the event, striking poses for photographs with the coveted World Cup trophy.
Tomorrow (August 9), the World Cup trophy will be showcased at the Bashundhara City Shopping Mall in Dhaka, open to the public. The program will commence at 11 in the morning and extend until 8 in the evening, granting the public a firsthand encounter with the cherished trophy.
