6 October - Dharamsala - Bangladesh Coach Chandika Hathurusinghe pre-match press conference
[Reporter:]
The way Tanzid Tamim batted in the two practice matches, he surely has a strong case to make it to the 11 now. But again, Mehidy Hasan Miraz batted beautifully against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup. And Litton Das is obviously there. So, what's the opening combo you're thinking about?
[Chandika Hathurusinghe:]
Yeah, we have a few options as you rightly mentioned. So, we will be in a better place to make that decision tomorrow morning. You will see tomorrow who will work out if we bat first and if you bat second then who will go out together.
[Reporter:]
What do you make of the balance in the squad that you've got and what do you think is a realistic expectation from a tournament like the World Cup for Bangladesh?
[Chandika Hathurusinghe:]
Yeah, we all want to win the World Cup but as you rightly asked me realistically is that if we win 4-5 games, we give ourselves a chance to get into the semifinal of the knockout stage - that's our first aim.
I think we have a good enough team to do that - our first aim is to getting to the semifinal stage.
[Reporter:]
Is it a bit of a relief while facing Farooqi as there is no Tamim up front?
[Chandika Hathurusinghe:]
That’s a weird question - you're asking about somebody who’s not here. So, I don't know what relief is going to be – Farooqi is a good bowler, regardless of who faces him. He’s done well for Afghanistan for a couple of years now. Whoever goes there we give him due respect.
[Reporter:]
There are some controversies about your recent comments in the interview where you said that anyone has a big dream about the World Cup, please wake up. Do you want to give any explanation of that comment?
[Chandika Hathurusinghe:]
My job is to take the pressure off the players.
[Reporter:]
So, Bangladesh still have a big dream?
[Chandika Hathurusinghe:]
People can dream, people can aim, people can have goals. Whatever the word you use, it is the same thing. We're trying to have a good World Cup and win matches. That's the main aim for me. As I just said to him, our aim is to get into the semifinal, that can be a dream or can be an aim - doesn't matter.
[Reporter:]
You must have seen the wicket, what is your assessment on this wicket and what will be the ideal combination?
[Chandika Hathurusinghe:]
The wickets look really good for one day cricket - I thought very firm wicket, nice covering of grass. I think it's really good sporting wicket. Expecting some high scoring on this ground. The combination we will decide tomorrow morning and see the wicket again because the curator said that he will do a little bit of work today as well on that wicket.
[Reporter:]
So from the Asia Cup, one of the big positives for Bangladesh came right towards the end against India when you know the usage of slower bowlers as opposed to bringing fast bowlers in the fray early on was sort of beneficial towards the end even Mushfizur Rahman was held off towards the end. So, how are you looking to utilize them given that the conditions in India are going to be conducive for slower bowlers more so?
[Chandika Hathurusinghe:]
Yeah, it depends on the surface to be honest and the way the game is going to expand. We will use tactically our bowling resources. Sometimes we might come with a plan against the opposition and the conditions that we see before the game. Then after that, it's up to the captains to use his bowling resources.
[Reporter:]
Some are playing their first World Cup. How excited are they and how excited are you to see them performing in the World Cup – the biggest stage?
[Chandika Hathurusinghe:]
Who is playing first World Cup?
[Reporter:]
Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tawhid Hridoy, Tanzim Hasan Sakib – the Under-19 World Cup winning players.
[Chandika Hathurusinghe:]
Yeah, we have I think four – five players that are from that World Cup. They will bring so much positivity to the group, because they have done it in the past and bring a lot of energy. And I'm excited for the whole team and even for my staff, because the World Cup for everybody is every four years and this is one of the biggest events in ICC calendar and we all have high hopes and want to enjoy it.
[Reporter:]
Very few Bangladesh supporters could reach Dharamshala till now, and we know how passionate they are in the stadiums while supporting the team. So, will your team miss the crowd support here?
[Chandika Hathurusinghe:]
We love to have that crowd support, but what it is - It is a long way to come over here and it's a beautiful place to come and anyone who is fortunate enough to come over here – it is one of the most picturesque venues in world cricket, so they will miss that opportunity, but whoever comes will have a good time.
[Reporter:]
Just before the World Cup, Shakib Al Hasan gave an interview to a television channel where he threw some comments that may not be needed. Did you have a conversation with him about those comments?
[Chandika Hathurusinghe:]
I had a conversation about his batting, bowling, and captaincy.
