Bangladesh cling on to fading hopes

Had Bangladesh got through to the quarters on Thursday, they couldn't have chosen a better day. It was Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 91st birth anniversary. Incidentally, four years back on this day, Bangladesh had defeated India in the last edition to stake claim for a Super 8 entry. Nilankur Das reports.

Three-year-old Moim was calling for his father from inside a jungle of legs that threatened to run him over. A man picked him up on his shoulders so that his parents can spot him. He was found in no time.

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Moim's parents had come to the Sher-e Bangla stadium in anticipation of a West Indies win over England that would catapult Bangladesh into the World Cup quarterfinals. But that wasn't meant to be. A collective heartbreak when the last West Indies wicket fell and separated young Moim from his parents. The shock was deafening but then it immediately changed to one of optimism and shouts of "we will beat South Africa" filled the air. It was so loud that one would imagine the whole country must have joined their voices.

Had Bangladesh got through to the quarters on Thursday, they couldn't have chosen a better day. It was Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 91st birth anniversary. Incidentally, four years back on this day, Bangladesh had defeated India in the last edition to stake claim for a Super 8 entry.

"This one would have been bigger," Tamim Iqbal, the hero of that match told HT. "Even if Bangladesh doesn't make it to the quarters it'll not negate our performance so far." Tamim said he was shivering with excitement when Andrew Russell was given not out and West Indies awarded a six.