Shakib hails fans after win over Ireland

Bangladesh captain remains positive for future matches.

DHAKA: Bangladesh captain Shakibal Hasan paid tribute to the fanatical support from fans after the co-hosts survived an Irish scare to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

“I don’t think any team will get this type of support,” said Shakib after his team’s 27-run victory in a must-win game.

While a packed house of 25,000 cheered the Tigers inside the stadium, thousands jammed Dhaka streets celebrating the win by singing, dancing and waving Bangladeshi fans.

“I am just overwhelmed with the support we got. It was beyond our imagination. With such backing, you become determined to win.”

Bangladesh bounced back after being bowled out for 205 to dismiss the Irish for 178. The win helped the hosts avenge two successive defeats by Ireland in major events, having lost to them in the 2007 World Cup, as well as in the 2009 World Twenty20. Bangladesh must still beat the Netherlands and at least one of the established teams to clinch a quarter-final berth.

“A win like this raises our expectations. There is every chance that our performance will be higher in the future.”

Porterfield disappointed

Meanwhile, Ireland captain William Porterfield vowed to bounce back after losing to Bangladesh.

“We let ourselves down with the bat,” said Porterfield, “We did really well to claw back after the first five overs with the ball. You can’t afford that many soft dismissals in an innings, but we’ve just got to bounce back from this.”

Porterfield refused to blame the defeat on the partisan support for Bangladesh.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2011.