EXCLUSIVE
He is one of the foremost voices in the world game. And the good thing about Athar Ali Khan is that he is always composed and chooses his words well. In this conversation with Boria Majumdar for the World Cup Series of Backstage With Boria, Athar claimed that Bangladesh were best placed to make the semi-finals this time round, with the conditions favouring Shakib and his team. He reckoned that this would be the big breakthrough that Bangladesh cricket has been looking for.
Excerpts from the conversation:
Boria: Experience of playing in Indian conditions, a very good 50-over record in recent times, including a series win against India – how hopeful are you for Bangladesh this time round?
Athar: This is the best chance for Bangladesh to make the last four. When I say this to you, I say it with a lot of conviction and not just for the sake of saying it. When I look at our team, I know what I am saying. There is a very good blend of experience and youth and unlike in the past when we just had very good spinners, we also have fast bowlers who can do the job. The batting is solid, and in Shakib, we have the world’s best all-rounder for Indian conditions. When you add IPL experience to this, Shakib has played in the IPL for years, Mustafizur plays regularly in the IPL – you know that we have the team to do well in these conditions. Also, unlike in the T20 format, where we are still improving, the 50-over format is the best suited for Bangladesh. It is in this format that we have the best record. So, I will not be surprised if you see Bangladesh beating a number of top teams, and making the semi-finals.
Boria: Very strong words there, Athar bhai, but do you reckon the players are capable of handling the pressure of the big stage. They sure have the potential, but to make a World Cup semi-final, you need a lot more than potential.
Athar: Yes, they do. Shakib as skipper has always played with pressure and his record speaks for him. He has achieved success in every part of the world. When you look at the team, you know they now know how to win. In Litton Das and Najmul Shanto, we have an excellent mix of experience and youth, and then we have Naim and Tanzid. One hopes that Tamim will be fit for the World Cup. If he makes the cut, he is always a welcome addition at the top of the order. If he is unable to make it, there is enough fire power at the top to give the team a brisk start. Tauhid Hridoy too is someone I have great hopes from, and he has had a fantastic start to his career. Then we have the experience of Shakib and Mushfiqur. Each one of these players have played and delivered under pressure and I repeat what I said – I am hoping for Bangladesh to make the last four.
Boria: The one thing that will also work for Bangladesh is that fans can come over to India and support the team. Except Indians, the only team which has this level of fan passion is Bangladesh. At the Eden Gardens, for example, I am told there could be 12,000 Bangladesh fans who could come to support the team.
Athar: Fans are the strength of the Bangladesh team. And these fans are there in good and bad. It is not as if they will abandon the team if there are a few bad results. That’s what helps. You mentioned 12,000 people. 30,000 people would come if they had tickets. While I hope the maximum number of people get access to tickets, and are able to fulfil their dreams of coming over and supporting the team, there will always be fans who miss out. But the best part if they won’t mind. They will be outside the stadium and still extend their support to the team. That is the beauty of fandom.
Also, this World Cup could well be the swan song in this format for players like Shakib or Mushfiqur, who have done so much for Bangladesh cricket. May be one more World Cup, who knows? But it could be they won’t play a 50-over World Cup again. All of 170 million Bangladeshis will want them to do well. It is for them that these fans will travel and shout and pray. It is a very special occasion.
Boria: Coming to India, the last time the team won an ICC tournament was in 2013. So it has been 10 years. Having said that, the last time the World Cup was played on Indian soil, it was India which won it in 2011. How do you see India’s chances?
Athar: India has a fantastic team. I don’t know why the Indian media is so harsh on the players at times. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill at the top of the order is a dream opening pair. Both are match-winners. And then you have the champion in Virat Kohli. If you just see the way Kohli runs between wickets, you know why he is special. Every youngster should take lessons from him in self-discipline and fitness. He has achieved everything and yet is hungry. That’s the hallmark of a true great. Each one of us will agree he went through a rough patch. But then he has come back stronger. That’s what matters, isn’t it? To the entire cricket world, Virat Kohli has given an abundance of joy and that’s why I say he is a class act. A real class act.
In the middle order, it will be a big boost for India if KL Rahul is fit. Then you have Hardik and Jadeja, two very good all-rounders who can walk into any team. And the bowling with Shami, Siraj, Bumrah and Kuldeep looks stellar. A fit Jasprit Bumrah could be a massive addition for India. It means your death bowling is sorted and with Shami, you will always have a chance of picking wickets at the start of an innings. Kuldeep looks a very good bowler. Mentally, he seems stronger and is very much in control of his game. So in every sense, India is the team to beat at home. Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma will know it, and I think all you need to do is support the team and not exert undue pressure and be critical of the players.
“They Have a golden opportunity in the World Cup in India”, former Bangladesh cricketer @AtharAliKhan97 believes that Bangladesh has the potential to achieve remarkable feats in the #ICCWorldCup2023, given the familiar playing conditions.
Says, the stage is set for… pic.twitter.com/71gnzHxmD7
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) August 26, 2023
I say this because the favourites tag always brings pressure in its wake. Indian fans will want the team to win everything. But what should work in India’s favour is the format is such that you do get a second chance in this World Cup. Even if you lose a game or two, you have more opportunities. That’s what should ease the pressure a bit on India.
One point I want to make to Indian fans is about Bumrah. It is the best news for India. It sorts out your death bowling. But give him time. Don’t expect him to be the same bowler from game one. Just give him a bit more time to get into rhythm and deliver for India. Coming back from a long injury lay-off isn’t easy so he will need all the support he gets.
Boria: How excited are you about India-Pakistan, Athar Bhai?
Athar: Ha ha ha! Everyone is. Not just me. Imagine Shaheen Afridi versus Rohit Sharma at the start of an innings. Virat Kohli versus Naseen Shah. Pakistan has a fantastic fast bowling line-up and in front of 100,000 fans, it will be a spectacle the whole world will be watching. It is sad that sports and politics get mixed up, but these matches are good for sport. These are games which make sport what it is. There is a massive build-up, fans travel from all over, the players know that if they perform in this one game, they achieve cult status. For the broadcaster, this is the one game to build and for the sport overall, there is nothing bigger. It is an occasion you know what I mean. No past records matter in this game. If you see the last World T20 in Australia, what a game it was. India needed 28 runs of 8 balls, and it seemed impossible. And then the two Kohli sixes. Pure magic. And just when it seemed India had it did Hardik get out. The ebbs and flows of the game helped the whole tournament to come alive. That’s what should happen on October 14 as well.
Boria: Your four semi-finalists, Athar bhai?
Athar: I have already told you about Bangladesh. India will surely make it. Australia too has a very good team. They have quality all-rounders and some very good fast bowlers. And in batting they bat deep and have powerful strikers. These are the three teams I will pick, and then it could be either Pakistan or England.
Boria: Looking forward to hosting you in Kolkata, Athar Ali Khan, and some pure Bangali adda!
Athar: Wish you and RevSportz all the very best Boria. Always there to help and support.