Clash with India just another game of cricket: Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib al-Hassan during press conference

Melbourne, March 17 (IANS) Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has termed their World Cup high-voltage quarter-final match against India on Thursday as "just another game of cricket.” He said there were bound to be expectations and if they play well the result may favour the Tigers.

Asked if it is the biggest game of his cricketing career, Hasan said: "Maybe you can say that because this is the first time we are playing in a World Cup quarter-final. At the same time, we need to understand that it's just another game of cricket."

"In the sub-continent, people always expect a lot of you and since we are playing well, there is an expectation. But, we need to focus on the game. If we play well, the result will take care of itself. It doesn't matter whether we win or lose if we play to our potential," Hasan said.

We are doing well and our confidence is high: Shakib

After winning three of their six Pool A games, Hasan sounded confident of their chances saying they are focused on the contest.

"The mood in the camp is good and we are focused on the game, everyone is focused on the game. We are up for it," he said. "We are preparing the best we can. It's a quarterfinal, it is a one-off game and no one will take anyone lightly. We are doing well and our confidence is high."

The 27-year-old further said they needed to start the contest well and though the Indians were a better team on the paper, given a bad day on the field, any team can be beaten.

"We need to start well. If we keep that momentum anything is possible. On paper, India is a better team than Bangladesh but if we have a good day and they have a bad day, you never know."

Bangladesh do have fond memories of beating India in the 2007 World Cup, but Hasan feels the 2007 result would not really matter going into the game on Thursday.

"That victory will be in our memory but this is a new game. India is a good side with world-class players. We know that it is going to be hard for us. If we play our best cricket, anything is possible," he said.