Bangladesh’s Mohammad Ashraful expected to make a comeback against Ireland – ICC World Cup 2011
The Bangladesh coach, Jamie Siddons, hinted on Wednesday that the former http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 skipper, Mohammad Ashraful, could be called in for the side’s second ICC World Cup 2011 game against low-ranked Ireland in Dhaka on Friday, 25 February.
"There's a chance, but it's one of a few options we have,” said Siddons when asked whether the Dhaka boy would be allowed to entertain his home crowd this Friday. “We will consider all our options, one of which is also sticking to the same
team and give everyone another chance," he did add however.
The 26-year-old middle-order veteran of Bangladesh was surprisingly axed from the team that played in the ICC World Cup 2011 battle against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750, which the Bengali Tigers lost by an agonizing 87 runs.
The match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ireland-c751 will be crucial for the Bengali Tigers to keep their hopes of making it to the knock out stage. Ashraful, who is the most successful one-day batsman from the Bengali side, will undoubtedly be a vital cog in the
batting line-up.
Ashraful, who made his One Day International (ODI) debut against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 in April 2001, has played 164 ODI matches so far. He has compiled 3,360 runs including three centuries and 20 fifties and is undoubtedly Bangladesh’s most successful
batsman in the 50-overs format of game. He has often been criticised for playing aggressive shots.
The Bangladesh coach praised Ashraful’s capability of playing all-round shots and said that he could be quite helpful during the field restrictions. However, he did hint at some changes in the batting order of Bangladesh if the veteran middle-order
batsman gets a chance against Ireland.
"I am an Ashraful fan and of course I'd like to see him play. He has all the shots and could be effective during the powerplay overs," said Jamie Siddons. "He generally bats two down but we are thinking of using him in the number seven position
if he plays," he added.
Siddons further added that the side is well aware of the fact that a defeat against Ireland could spell the end of their World Cup dream. The Bengali Tigers were thrashed by Ireland in the previous edition of the mega event in the Caribbean
and they will be wary this time.
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