KOLKATA, June 14: India may be outright favourites in the Champions Trophy semifinals against Bangladesh but the defending champions will be under more pressure, former captains Mohammad Ashraful and Habibul Bashar said today.
�Aar ektu upare jete chai (having come all the way, we badly don�t want to miss out on a final spot now),� Bashar, who led Bangladesh to their epic 2007 World Cup win over India at Port of Spain, told PTI from Dhaka.
Bangladesh beat New Zealand in Cardiff from being 33 for 4 in a sensational run chase before their progress was confirmed when fancied Australia, plagued by two rain-hit games, lost to England the next day.
�We have previously reached Asia Cup final. But no doubt this is the biggest moment in the history of Bangladesh cricket. It�s like mini World Cup. India are the defending champions it�s no secret that they will be under more pressure. We have an experienced side and we need a team effort,� the current selector said.
The 44-year-old said their bowlers will hold the key but according to him the biggest �threat� will be Indian opener Rohit Sharma whose 137 in their 2015 World Cup quarterfinal win is �still fresh� in his mind.
�We not only need early breakthroughs but will have to ensure that we keep striking. I�m a big fan of Rohit Sharma and his wicket will be the key,� he said referring to Sharma�s century after being given not out on 90 as Rubel�s delivery was called a no-ball in a dubious decision.
Now-exiled Ashraful also said pressure would be on India and added only one-two percent separates both the teams. � PTI
