Sriram: If we can challenge team like India, we aren't far away

|| CF DESK ||

Bangladesh technical consultant Sridharan Sriram was satisfied with the Tigers’ performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup and stated that they are ‘not far away’ from their goal. 

Bangladesh have secured two wins from four matches in the Super-12s of the tournament, which is also their first win on the T20's global stage. 

"It is the best tournament Bangladesh has ever had in T20 World Cup. We have never won two games in the Super 12s in the history of Bangladesh cricket. The boys should be proud of themselves,” Sriram said.

"I think it is a fresh start. I don't know what happened in the past. We won two very close games against Netherlands and Zimbabwe. We lost a close game against India, but that happens,"

The coach believes the close contest against India, which was eventually lost by 5 runs (D/L method), will boast confidence in the squad.

"At the start of the game [against India], if someone said we will lose to India by five runs, anybody will take it. I think we got ourselves an opportunity to beat India. But we were not able to cross the line. The boys gained a lot of confidence by having got so close,” 

"Everyone was disappointed in the dressing room to have lost by five runs. They realised what a golden opportunity they missed. It is a great learning for them. It gives the team a lot of self-belief that if we can challenge a team like India, we are not far away,"

Bangladesh will square off against Pakistan on November 6, and the coach is hoping for a tough fight in their last fixture of the tournament.

"We know what challenges Pakistan present. We played them in New Zealand recently. We have to turn up and play our best on the day. They are a very good side. We had opportunities in both games that we played against them in New Zealand. We are both aware of each other's strengths. It will be a great contest tomorrow."