Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan has expressed that his team had no other option rather than winning against Pakistan at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on Tuesday.
“There is a lot to play for. As you know, we have to win to be able to qualify for the Champions Trophy. That’s an important target I think we can set at this moment,” said Shakib on the eve of the crucial clash for both the sides.
Earlier on Monday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) had announced that the top seven teams along with hosts Pakistan will qualify for the Champions Trophy in 2025.
“We have to win. We have no other option and that’s what we would look to do,” said Shakib.
Notably, Bangladesh is placed ninth in the 10-team World Cup table with defending champions England at the bottom. The Shakib-led side have lost five of their six games with virtually no hope left of entering the semi-finals of the marquee event.
“We discussed it, we had our team meetings, so we sat down, we talked about it, but we have to show it in action and that the talk is cheap when it’s not working,” said Shakib.
“So, we’ll do it at the ground so the action can take care of it and everyone can see it. I mean, only we can change the situation of the team with our actions. So that’s what we are trying to do,” he added.
Not only his team but Shakib too, has struggled in the ongoing tournament and was widely criticised for flying home last week to work with his personal batting coach.
In the five matches, Shakib has managed just 61 runs and seven wickets.