Kumar Sangakkara praises Bangladesh's performance in CT 2017

Bangladesh crashed out of the Champions Trophy 2017 yesterday, losing to a determined Indian team which is firing at full throttle. Bangladesh started off well and at one stage looked on course to a big score. They suffered a mini-collapse losing 3 wickets in quick succession, they could never recover from this setback and ended their innings on 264. This total was never going to be challenging for the Indian batting line-up who chased the total with ease.

Sangakkara full of praise for Bangladesh

Bangladesh may have lost rather timidly but their performances throughout the tournament have earned them many praises. According to Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara, the Bangladeshi team can take a lot of confidence from this tournament. He also said that if Bangladesh can plan well and have a good roadmap for future, they can be serious contenders for the 2019 World Cup.

“In the last few years, aided by the shrewd coaching of Chandika Hathurasinghe, a supportive cricket board and a clutch of quality senior players led by Shakib Al Hasan, it has made huge progress. It has now reached the knockout stage in the last two major ICC events and can start planning for the ICC Cricket World Cup with real hope of being a contender,” said Sangakkara as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Bangladesh’s batting was quite impressive throughout the tournament, but the bowling department looked unequipped to defend scores. They were unable to defend 300+ score in the opening game Vs England and never quite challenged the Indian batsmen in the semi-final. According to Sangakkara Bangladesh attack lacks ‘bite and variety’.

“Bangladesh can be proud of its achievements, but it will have to find more variety in its bowling if it is to return to England in pursuit of a World Cup. It has a great core around which to build a team that can have sustained success, both home and abroad and there are exciting times ahead,” concluded Kumar Sangakkara.

It is exciting times ahead for Bangladesh and their passionate fanbase.