The passionate crowd’s enthusiasm has had a huge impact on the cricketers, and the players are expecting similar support during the ICC World Twenty20, national skipper Mushfiqur Rahim said in Sylhet on Monday. ‘Victory and defeat are part of cricket, but we hope to receive the same kind of support when we play our world cup matches,’ Mushfiq said after guiding Abahani to a 77-run victory against arch-rivals Mohammedan.
‘It was awesome to see such excitement among the spectators.
‘Such was their enthusiasm that it gave an international flavour, even in these domestic matches,’ he said.
The right-hander thanked his Abahani teaamates for being able to keep their nerve in the match, which gave them their first victory of the tournament.
‘Today it was a do-or-die match for us and it is pleasing to come out as winner,’ said Mushfiq.
‘Playing well under pressure is always difficult, and it was satisfying that some of us, including me, scored sufficiently to ensure the victory,’ he said.
The Abahani captain also said that his side were ‘excited and inspired’ to be playing at Sylhet Divisional Stadium.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board chose Sylhet to host some of the matches in the ongoing Victory Day Twenty20 Tournament as a part of the preparation for the forthcoming World Twenty20.
The venue is expected to host all of the women’s matches and six matches on the men’s side during the ICC World Twenty20 from March16-April 6, 2014.
-With New Age input
