Bangladesh newly appointed ODI skipper Shakib al Hasan said on Saturday that they are not looking too far ahead as they prepare for the Asia Cup 2023, stating that taking this tournament as the preparation for the forthcoming ODI World Cup won't be a wise idea.
ASIA CUP 2023
Bangladesh not seeing Asia Cup as World Cup prep
Shakib was recently appointed the new ODI captain. © BCB
Shakib, who replaced Tamim Iqbal as ODI leader after the latter stepped down from the position recently, faced the media for the first time along with head coach Chandika Hathurusingha and both of them insisted at this moment they are only thinking of reaching the Super Fours of Asia Cup.
"You cannot think of World Cup with the Asia Cup because they are two different tournaments. Yes if we can do well and develop as a good team in Asia Cup, in that case we have some good chance to do well in the World Cup and from that point of view Asia Cup is important. But it is not like if we do badly in Asia Cup will imply that there is no chance for us in the World Cup nor if we do great will suggest that our chances in World Cup will increase to substantially," Shakib told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Saturday.
"Now the whole plan is based on Asia Cup and the preparation and team is prepared accordingly. When we finish the Asia Cup at that point World Cup will come and we will think about it at that point of time. Now we are thinking only about Asia Cup and more precisely we are only thinking about Afghanistan, Sri Lanka game," he said.
Hathurusingha echoed the same sentiment.
"Definitely, our aim is to qualify for the second round first. As you said, we are playing in Sri Lanka against Sri Lanka. They're a very good team at home. And then, we are playing Afghanistan in Pakistan and lately, they played here and they won the series. So, there are big challenges, but we are up for it," said the Sri Lankan.
Bangladesh followed the
