Abdul Latif feels the year 2019 will belong to Bangladesh

Former vice president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Abdul Latif feels that the cricket team from the country has made and is making giant strides towards becoming a consistent side that can beat the more recognised teams. In his view, the rise might take another couple of years and by 2019 they will ensure that the year belongs to Bangladesh.

Latif who was in the past also the manager of the Bangladeshi team during the tours of Australia, Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka from 2003-2005 wants them to sustain the current standing and only make northward progress here on.

“Having reached a certain level now, the chief job for everyone will be to hold onto it. We have the 2019 World Cup approaching and need to make sure the team are in perfect shape in terms of fitness and preparation,” Latif wrote in his article for Dhaka Tribune.

Dream 2019

“With the current ODI team, I dream year 2019 will be ours. With this team we can go to the World Cup without any hesitation and if everything falls into place, play the final of the tournament I strongly believe,” he further stated.

While a lot of experts feel it is since the 2015 World Cup that the Tigers have made remarkable progress to become a giant killer having defeated the top teams but in Latif’s view it actually started way back in 2007. It was also the year when they knocked out the semi-finalists from the previous edition of the World Cup Team India from the group stages of the 50-overs World Cup 2007.

Winning habit

“We might have turned into a regular winner recently but it was the team 10 years ago which showed glimpses of their ability.

“The current team are now boosted with confidence. They are focused to get better every day and this is being backed well by the improved infrastructure of the game in our country. The pipeline for the national team is now better than anytime in the past and there are regular activities in age-level cricket to maintain this process,” he expressed.

The retired Colonel wants the management to build a strong base for the team which covers all the aspects and initiate the planning for World Cup 2019 right away.

“My humble request will be to keep this team compact and inspired in all forms. We should base our preparation on strong planning and make sure to play bilateral series’ against the top teams,” Latif concluded.