'We have turned this World Cup into a...'

GEORGETOWN: Mohammad Ashraful could hardly take a break since the end of the match against South Africa. He had stayed away from the media spotlight as much he could since arriving in the Caribbean but Saturday was the day when it was time to let the guard down a bit, if only momentarily, as scores of interview requests were acknowledged with a giggle or accommodating gesture.

"Well, the focus was not on me when we came to the World Cup and I thought it would be a good idea for me to just to do my own things. I know that after this there will be more attention (on me) but after six years of playing international cricket, I think I have learned how to handle media pressure," said the man who transformed the game from a 50-50 situation to an eventual no-contest with the breathtaking 83-ball 87.

"I came to the World Cup wanting to do something really, really good which would do justice to my expectations and that of the fans and the people who love my game. I said to myself if I can't live up to that in the tournament then I must make up for it in the home series against India," Ashraful said adding there has been another pretty good reason for motivation.

"A lot of people have said that we have spoiled the Super Eights by qualifying, that we are just there to make the numbers. I wanted to show them something and so did the team. This was mighty important as now no one will say that the victory against India was a one-off wonder. We have turned this World Cup into an exciting one"

"We were looking for somewhere between 230-235 but Ashraful's innings made a difference of 15-20 runs and that was significant," said Habibul Bashar, the captain who also had a word of advice for one of the heroes of the game, Aftab Ahmed. Aftab's breezy 35 (43 balls; 2x4, 2x6) and more importantly the 76-run partnership in 14.2 overs with Ashraful which lifted Bangladesh from a shaky 84/4 in the 24th over, was instrumental in the push for quick runs.

"It was an important innings from Aftab and it changed the momentum in our favour. But from the team's point of view we want Aftab to go on and make 80s and 90s and not just good looking 30s. He has so much natural ability," said Bashar.

"We decided that we will be looking for the singles and if the hittable delivery came along we would go for it. Then he hit those two sixes against Kemp (Justine) and started to take the initiative which allowed me to settle down. I only opened up towards the end of the innings," Ashraful said looking back on the stand with Aftab where both players had their normal batting positions shuffled. Aftab has been permanent at number three for a while now but was sent in at six with Bashar taking his place in the order. Ashraful has batted at six mostly in recent times but was number five on Saturday and the way they ran the singles and twos and improvise or whack in harmony it appeared that both have found common ground.

"Look, the other batsmen in the top order have been playing very well and I was pushed back a bit at number six. But I don't have a problem with that. Four, five, six…I am prepared to bat wherever I am needed because it is the team's interest that comes first," said Ashraful before elaborating on the spirit de corps, a growing hallmark of the present Bangladesh cricket team.

"I could have been run out in the 43rd over after calling for a risky run. Mushfique (ur Rahim) could have stood his ground at the other end and I would have been the man out and no one would have blamed him because it was my fault. But he sacrificed his wicket thinking that I was the set batsman and I could carry the innings forward and it would benefit the team more. He took the decision instantaneously. This is the kind of spirit we are thriving on at the moment and because of this we are more successful these days," said Ashraful.

For a side like South Africa , ranked number one in the world and who have chased scores of over 400 and won and even a few days ago had given Australia a good scare, 252 was not 'supposed' to have been a stiff test but that is the conclusion of ignorant 'experts' who just do not seem to have the eyes to see quality or do not possess the stomach to acknowledge that Bangladesh's left-arm spin attack is the best in business, full stop.

"We always knew that with the kind of spin we have we can always put pressure on them. The important thing was to bowl well with the new ball and Rasel (Syed) did a fantastic job by removing Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis. When they did not have a good start and lost four wickets within the first 20 overs, I was almost certain that we would pull this off," said Ashraful.

"The similarity is that they are all left-arm spinners but they are all different. (Abdur) Razzak is a bit quicker, Shakib (Al Hasan) can flight the ball and (Mohammed) Rafique has a bit of both and the arm-ball. Their actions are also different. They have always delivered what I wanted from them," Bashar lauded the role of the spin-trio who from a combined spell of 29.4 overs gave away just 96 and snared six South African wickets.

So what's next after the euphoria had died down a bit not that there was any party bash or anything after Yesterday's victory.

"Many are saying semifinals but I would prefer to go game by game and see what happens. We are progressing, we are becoming more consistent against bigger teams and we will continue to improve. Already our fans expect us to win every game we play and their faith is full of conviction. I can tell you this, from what evidence I have seen in this team give us another year or two and we will be regularly getting it over the top sides," Bashar signed off.

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