Shakib apologises to disappointed fans

Shakibal Hasan apologises to his nation’s cricket-crazy fans after the Tigers crash out of the World Cup.

DHAKA:

Bangladesh captain Shakibal Hasan apologised to his nation’s cricket-crazy fans after the Tigers crashed out of the World Cup in disgrace.

Bangladesh were shot out for 78 by South Africa to lose their last-league match by 206 runs in front of 25,000 stunned home fans at the Shere Bangla stadium and millions watching on TV across the country.

“Our fans deserved more,” said Shakib after Bangladesh finished with six points in Group B, just above minnows Ireland and the Netherlands.

“Expectations were high among our people because we had played so well lately, but we let them down.

“We have not played good cricket at the World Cup and I feel very sorry for our fans. They deserved much more than what we gave them.”

Shakib said the pressure of living up to everyone’s expectations got to the team.

“This was a pressure match for us. We knew we had to win. The team just could not take the pressure,” he said while also adding that South Africa were good enough to go far in the tournament.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20^th, 2011.