Experienced batsman and former captain Mohammad Ashraful believes he is just one big innings away from returning to his blistering best during the forthcoming World Cup.
Ashraful was one of the key figures in Bangladesh’s successful campaign in the West Indies four years ago but with another World Cup looming, he is still uncertain about his chances of playing any matches.
After a wayward performance in international cricket for the last one year he struggled a lot to make it to the World Cup squad and only a timely return to form in the domestic cricket brought the opportunity for him.
But unlike the past, a place in the starting line-up is no longer guaranteed for him, though Ashraful is not ready to waste his time by thinking too much about it.
‘I was not picked for our first match at the World Cup 2003 as well. But I got my chance later and did well,’ Ashraful said in the open media session on Wednesday.
‘I just need to play a big knock and that will be enough for me to get back the touch and confidence. I am waiting for my opportunity and whenever it comes I am ready to grab it,’ he said.
Ashraful had played a few big innings in the past but he failed to build on that and remained an inconsistent performer all through his career.
Asked if he was ready to play some small cameos instead of just one big innings, Ashraful differed strongly.
‘Let the big innings come. I am then ready to take the cameos,’ said the former skipper.
Ashraful said he does not mind fighting for his place and the environment in the dressing room remained the same for him despite his personal struggle.
‘In the last one year my strike rate dipped and that shows I am not comfortable at the middle. Usually I like to bat at the number four or five, but I would not mind if I am asked to bat deep down the order,’ he said.
Asked about Bangladesh’s chances in the upcoming World Cup, Ashraful remained very much positive.
We reached the second round last time and I don’t see any reason why we can’t make it again. We are playing at home and we should take the advantage. We would have been in the semi-final last time if we had played three matches in Guyana. The condition there, where we defeated South Africa, was pretty similar to us, he said.
‘In our condition we are very much a capable side to beat West Indies, South Africa and England if not India. If we can beat two of them and get the desired results against Ireland and the Netherlands then we are in the knockout stage,’ said Ashraful.
