Cricket

Mashrafe wants Bangladesh to ‘stay relaxed and play’ against India in semifinal

ByReuters
Bangladesh Nets - Edgbaston - June 13, 2017 Bangladesh’s Mashrafe Mortaza during nets Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
Bangladesh Nets - Edgbaston - June 13, 2017 Bangladesh’s Mashrafe Mortaza during nets Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
Also read:Kohli calls for full focus against ‘dangerous Tigers’

The Tigers go into the game, set for a 3:30pm [BdST] start on Thursday, eyeing their maiden spot in the final of an ICC event.

"Our plan was always to take it match by match," he said. "I think if everyone approaches the semi-final as just another match, it will be good for the team.

"There will be a lot of hype around this game... but our first task is to stay relaxed and play."

The captain said Bangladesh would need to adapt to the conditions at Edgbaston, a venue they have not played at yet during the tournament.

"The wicket looks the same as the one at The Oval," he added. "It could be tough, but the truth is we will have to adjust to playing on it no matter what shape it is in."

Mashrafe also dismissed concerns that the pressure of the occasion could get to his side.

"If you talk about pressure, I think India have more pressure than we have. Because they have huge population and the people love cricket a lot," he said. "Both teams have a lot of expectations."

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