MELBOURNE: So, we will meet India at MCG. Would it have been better if we met South Africa instead? There has been a lot or analyses, discussions and predictions going around. Lots of ‘buts’, ‘ifs’, ‘however’ etc going around from mouth to mouth. Does it really matter whether we face India or South Africa in the quarter final? Not much really. If we are good enough to beat South Africa, we will be good enough to beat India as well.

It is true that South Africa chokes under pressure, especially if they have to chase. Moreover, they are not the best playing against spin. However, although in the Australian condition our spin attack has been very good and measured, it has not been fearsome. It is also difficult to comprehend that a team like South Africa having lost two matches will lose the third one against a less fancy side. They would have been extra careful against us.

On the other hand, India are at their devastating best. They can destroy any attack on their day and even chase a target of 400 plus runs. When it is not their day, they can still sneak through a narrow victory. Despite this, my instinct says we have a better chance against India. An unbeaten India will be over confident against us and this will be one match our boys will play without any pressure. On the contrary, India will be under tremendous pressure. It may actually play in our hand. If the boys believe in themselves, this is a match we can win. India’s bowling attack is not a fearsome one. New Zealand and England both have more aggressive bowling attacks and we have done well against them. India is not an unbeatable team. They were recently beaten twice by England just before the World Cup. If England can do it, surely we can do it too. In fact this Bangladesh team is capable of beating any team in this world up on their day including so far unbeaten India and New Zealand. I am a bit cautious about making the same comment against Australia. They are a different cattle of fish.

A knock out match against South Africa could have been more difficult one as they will play like a cornered and wounded lion. A match against Pakistan could have been nasty and tense one due to political hype around it. Even against Ireland would been a pressure match due to the apprehension of an ‘upset’ by a non-test playing team. That is why my instinct says it is better that we will meet India in the quarter final. Our boys will be relaxed and play not only with their skill but also with their hearts. They will have extra motivation to do well to prove a point or two, especially against India.

Although a victory will be sweeter, a spirited and fighting performance will be confidence booster and will earn much desired respect from the cricketing world.  On the 19th March in MCG, we have nothing to lose but everything to gain. I am sure; the boys will continue to make us proud. They have already done so. It is not only because of their qualification to the quarter finals but also for the fact that it is due to them we were able to stand tall in MCG, Adelaide Oval and Seddon Park in singing our national anthem. Many of us had teary eyes. Those were the tears of joy, the tears of pride. It is because of Mashrafe, Shakib, Riad, Mushfiq and the boys, our national flag flies high in those grounds. Haven’t they made us proud already!

The tigers are on the verge of making history in MCG. Let the boys be fearless, remain positive, play at their best and play with their hearts. Win or loss, a spirited performance will once again make us proud. The whole nation stands beside them and ready to make them proud as well.

Surely, our brighter days are ahead of us. It will enter into a new era on the 19th of March 2015.

About writer: Family Physician in Melbourne and also freelance columnist

BDST: 1908 HRS, MAR 14, 2015