Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza showed maturity in the pre-match conference before India vs Bangladesh semi-final clash in ICC Champions Trophy 2017 on June 15. Similar to Indian skipper Virat Kohli, Mortaza too has decided to douse the flames as he does not consider the semi-final as a grudge match for what happened 2 years ago in World Cup 2015 quarter-final. Mortaza played down the factor and instead focused on the game ahead of him.
Mortaza said in pre-match press conference, “Not necessary it’s a grudge match. It could have been England or any other team. We don’t have to think it is India and play as another match. We need to take the pressure out. After the 2015 World Cup quarter-final, we have played three T20Is and three ODIs against them and we have forgotten it. It has been 24 months. Tomorrow is going to be a new game so our concentration and thinking is about that game,”
On being asked whether this is the biggest match in the history of Bangladesh cricket, he replied, “I have answered that question in 2015 World Cup as well. But obviously playing in best eight and reaching the semi-final there is big hype. You can say (it is the biggest match) but I am not sure,”
Mortaza did not look much worried about the Edgbaston wicket as his side will be playing for the first time in ICC Champions Trophy 2017 apart from the warm-up game. The Bangladesh skipper said, “We played one practice match against Pakistan at Edgbaston that we lost but we played well. The wicket was good to bat on and hopefully, we enjoy tomorrow.”
