By IANS,
Dhaka : Ecstatic over its cricket team’s surprise victory over England in the 2011 World Cup, co-host Bangladesh’s media hopes its team makes it to the quarter finals for the first time.
But it has cautioned against euphoria and overconfidence and editorials Sunday asked for a strategy be put in place for the future matches, based on the flaws that were discernible in the earlier ones.
“…there are some lessons that the team must take home and do some groundwork on. Our middle order as usual failed to click in spite of the very good start given by the openers. And for a time one felt that here was a classic example of a winnable match slipping away. Fortunately, the bowlers saved the day for us,” The Daily Star said in its editorial.
It suggested: “Not every time should we depend on the tailenders to deliver on both counts. It was time the middle order pulled up their socks and delivered.”
The editorial said the Bangladeshi team’s earlier losses against India and West Indies may have been dampers but it still has chances to come back. “What was heartening was the degree of application displayed by them.”
Bangladeshi media fondly calls its players Tigers.
The New Age editorial entitled “The Tigers can do”, said: “Of course, Bangladesh have a chance of making it to the round of eight; however, to do so, they have to win both their matches against the Netherlands and South Africa.”
“While Tigers should beat the Dutchmen, they have shown a tendency to inexplicably surrender to their less illustrious opponents, especially after pulling off a stunning victory against the high and mighty of the game,” the paper said, recalling the team’s defeat against Ireland in the 2007 World Cup “after creditable victories against India and South Africa”.
The World Cup in which 14 countries are participating is being played Feb 19-April 2. The event is being hosted by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.