Bairstow's unbeaten 108 off 48 balls, with eight fours and nine sixes, see Punjab secure the win with eight balls to spare
Mashrafe slams hype in Bangladesh over team’s place in 2017 Champions Trophy
Following the win against South Africa in the second ODI, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza has said it is more essential to mature as a team than playing in the Champions Trophy.
Published : 12 July 2015, 07:54 PM
Updated : 12 July 2015, 07:54 PM
He is clearly annoyed over the recent hullabaloo over Bangladesh’s place in the 2017 edition of the competition in England and Wales.
The issue has time and again been brought up as the Tigers’ wins were met with relief and joy among supporters, while their defeats produced anxiety over their place in the top tournament.
“Not thinking about the Champions Trophy now. It is still far away. If it is in our fate, we’ll get it eventually. If it’s not then we won’t,” Mashrafe said in a press conference.
“No one had so much headache over the Champions Trophy even eight months ago. I don’t know why people are raving so much about it today.”
Bangladesh beat South Africa comfortably by seven wickets and levelled the three-match ODI series 1-1 on Sunday.
The win put paid to any lingering doubt over Bangladesh’s Champions Trophy spot, which was raised by a proposed tri-series involving Pakistan, West Indies and Zimbabwe.
Bangladesh, who are currently ranked seventh in ODIs, will have 93 points even if they lose the final match in Chittagong.
It is not possible for West Indies and Pakistan, who are ranked eighth and ninth, to overtake the Tigers together.
“It will please everyone in the country if we can play the Champions Trophy which will be a delight for us. But thinking about these now is too much.”
Mashrafe thinks playing well consistently is more crucial for Bangladesh cricket.
“What is important to us is trying to win every match to develop as a team. I repeat – we are not satisfied by just doing what we did today.
"We will try to fix all the mistakes we did today and in the past matches, so that we don’t do them in the games to come.”
The top seven ODI teams and hosts England will play in the 2017 Champions Trophy. The cutoff date for the qualification is Sep 30.
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