Tigers back with heads held high from first CT
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Dhaka: Bangladesh National Cricket team, which rode its luck to reach the semi-finals in its first-ever appearance at the ICC Champions Trophy, returned home on Saturday morning.
But, test skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmullah Riyad, Imrul Kayes and Shakib Al Hasan not retuned with the team. Three cricketers except Shakib will stay in England for more few days.
The Tigers achieved the dream semifinal berth of the ICC global event eliminating World Champions Australia and upper ranking New Zealand astonishing cricket pundits, but miserably lost to defending champions India by nine wickets in the semifinal.
Soon after arrival at Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport on Saturday morning, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza said this team has a ability to play more better cricket then they played.
Mashrafe expressed his satisfaction to qualify for the first-ever semifinal from death group eliminating Australia and New Zealand, but also expressed his frustration not to avail the chance that they have to reach the final and do hope that this team will do better in next big tournaments and series.
Our experienced cricketer played vital role in the ICC Champions Trophy, but junior players like Mustafiz, Soumya and Sabbir failed to fulfill the expectations.
Bangladesh's first Champions Trophy campaign in more than 10 years ended with their first appearance in a semi-final of a major competition. They went down to England in the opener, but walked away with one point in a rain-ruined clash against Australia.
Later, their stunning performance against New Zealand guided them into the semi-final. An underwhelming bowling display against India, however, saw them bow out of the competition.
Bangladesh achieved another milestone of reaching 6th place first time in the ICC ODI ranking ahead of Sri Lanka beating hosts Ireland and New Zealand in the Tri-Nation series in Ireland just started their campaign in the eight-nation Champions Trophy.
The squad, most of which retuned home after a two month stay in England and Ireland, will now rest for few days before joining the national camp for the home series against Australia.
The Australians will arrive in the capital on August 18 to play a two-match test series against the Tigers in Dhaka and Chittagong.