With hopes of attaining ODI status Bangladesh take on USA in the play-off match of the ICC Women’s World Cup qualifiers at BKSP today.
According to Bangladesh coach Mamatha Maben, the hosts go into the match with the favourites’ tag. Bangladesh had a pre-tournament target of achieving a sixth place finish so that they can get the ODI status and Bangladesh’s Indian coach Mamatha Maben remained confident that her charges will fulfil the dream by winning the match today.
“You can say we are favourites in the match because we have played better cricket so far in this tournament if you compare with our opponents. We won two matches, against Japan and Ireland, quite comfortably while USA had one win under their belt. But we have to prove it in the middle and I’m confident about my team,” said Mamatha yesterday.
Bangladesh’s dream of making a place in the Women’s World Cup to be held in India in 2013 was shattered following a six-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in the play-off match at Mirpur on Tuesday and it was once again poor batting which caused the heavy defeat.
“I’m not totally unhappy with the way the team has been progressing. Our bowling and fielding is so far okay but we have a problem with our batting. I believe this team has got the strength to show much better batting than they did against Sri Lanka,” said Mamatha.
She also said that her charges were very much aware of the fact that they are just one match shy of achieving the target.
“We all know how important the match is and I believe everybody is confident of winning the match. We need runs from the top order and I am confident that this time they will deliver,” hoped Mamatha.
The Bangladesh coach was also happy with the fact that the match will be held at BKSP where batting is easier than in Mirpur.
In the day’s other matches, Pakistan face off against South Africa in the first semifinal at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Sri Lanka meet West Indies in the second semi-final at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium and Ireland play against Netherlands in the other play-off match at BKSP.
-With The Daily Star input
