Bangladesh coach Rhodes says pressure on Pakistan in World Cup clash

Published July 4, 2019
Bangladesh's English head coach Steve Rhodes attends a press conference at Lord's cricket ground in  London on July 4, 2019, ahead of their match against Pakistan. — AFP
Bangladesh's English head coach Steve Rhodes attends a press conference at Lord's cricket ground in London on July 4, 2019, ahead of their match against Pakistan. — AFP

Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes says the pressure will be on Pakistan when the two sides meet in their final World Cup league game at Lord's on Friday.

Pakistan are not technically out of the competition yet but would need a freakishly big win against already eliminated Bangladesh to overtake New Zealand on run rate.

If Bangladesh win the toss and bat, Pakistan would be out before the game even starts.

“We've got the pressure of 170 million back home wanting us to win but Pakistan can still qualify and, maybe, the pressure is all on Pakistan going into this game,” Rhodes said on Thursday.

“Both teams are desperate to beat each other. We certainly are. They've got a lot to play for as well.”

Rhodes, whose team have won their past four one-day internationals against Pakistan, said a win in their final match would make it a good tournament for his side.

“If we beat Pakistan, I think we've had a very good World Cup, even though we've not qualified,” said the former England Test player.

“And I say that because the other teams, some of the big teams that we've played against, we've had close-ish games against them.

“We pushed Australia. We pushed India. Generally, the games we've played, we've been in the contest, and we've showed a lot of fight. We carry on doing that, then we're going to improve and improve.

“We would have loved to have qualified for the latter stages, that's a disappointment. But the victories have been very good. Certainly, the early victory with South Africa, and West Indies.”

Bangladesh scored 322 to beat the West Indies by seven wickets -- the highest successful chase of the tournament.

Rhodes played down the hype around the last World Cup match for skipper Mashrafe Mortaza.

“The one thing about Mashrafe with the players is that they respect him incredibly,” said Rhodes of Mashrafe, who has announced this will be his last World Cup.

“Hopefully, the boys will give him the right sort of respect playing his last game in the World Cup but then most importantly we'll concentrate on the match.”

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...