Bangladesh skipper Salma Khatun focuses on present, not past records

Their performance in the 2018 Asia Cup is surely one of the biggest achievements in the history for Bangladesh. Not only did they beat India in the group stages, the Salma Khatun-led side also upset India in the final to clinch the title. But since then, Bangladesh have failed to beat bigger teams and skipper Khatun wants to focus on the present and not talk about the past records.

Bangladesh have been placed in Group A and will start their campaign against Asian rivals India on February 24 in Perth and Khatun believes her team is prepared well for the challenge that awaits them.

“Our U-19 Men's World Cup win was a great moment. We are ready for the World Cup," said Khatun, speaking at the captains’ media day at Taronga Zoo in Sydney. “The Asia Cup was a great experience, but the focus is now on the World Cup. We want to be focusing on New Zealand and Australia instead."

After playing India, Bangladesh head straight to Canberra for their match against Australia (February 27) before heading to Melbourne to play against New Zealand (February 29) and Sri Lanka (March 2).

Bangladesh may have little experience playing in Australian conditions, but not Rumana Ahmed whose Women's Big Bash stint will come in handy for the Tigresses. While Rumana was picked up by Brisbane Heat in 2018-19 season, she was also included in the ICC Women's Global Development squad that played six T20 games against the WBBL teams in the past edition. 

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“Coming here was a big opportunity for me,” said Rumana, who played a starring role in the Asia Cup success over India. “Every session I learned something, how they work in the gym and on their fitness, and it was a very good opportunity for me. We are very confident, it is the first time we are here so Australia haven’t seen us and we haven’t seen them."