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Wednesday, 9 March 2011 00:07 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Chittagong, (AFP): Bangladesh find themselves facing a tough ride back as they plot a last-ditch attempt to make the World Cup quarter-finals on home turf.
The Tigers have fallen behind in the treacherous Group B with just two points, three behind leaders India and England and two less than South Africa and the West Indies.
Bangladesh must now win all their three remaining matches against England, the Netherlands and South Africa to cement a place in the quarter-finals.
Two more wins could also see them through, provided other results go in their favour.
Bangladesh's hopes of bouncing back in the premier event they are co-hosting for the first time with India and Sri Lanka lie is taking advantage of home conditions.
Shakib Al Hasan's men clash with a rejuvenated England, fresh from their dramatic six-run win over South Africa on Sunday, at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium in Chittagong on Friday.
They meet the Netherlands in Chittagong on March 14, before returning to Dhaka to face South Africa at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium on March 19.
Bangladesh, who began the tournament ranked eighth in one-day cricket, have played uninspiring cricket so far, leaving millions of their fans angry and frustrated.
Tempers boiled over in Dhaka last Friday when fans pelted stones at the West Indies and Bangladesh team buses after the hosts crashed to their lowest one-day total of 58 in a nine-wicket defeat.
Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons admitted the entire team was “devastated and embarrassed”, but remained hopeful the setback can be overcome.
“Everyone is still a little shell-shocked,” the Australian said. “They are sad by the performance we put up. My confidence is a bit dented as well.”
“But we will move on. It should all be forgotten even though I don't expect anybody else to forget it.”
“The boys have promised me that there will be an improved performance next game. Not much more you can say about 58.”
Nothing less than a revival will satisfy locals, who want their team to come hard at their remaining opponents.
Fans have tarnished Bangladesh's image, says PM Hasina
Reuters - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladeshi fans had "tarnished the image of the nation" as she condemned the stone-throwing incident at the West Indies team bus.
Bangladesh supporters in Dhaka reacted with fury on Friday after the co-hosts were skittled for 58 before slumping to a nine-wicket defeat by West Indies in a World Cup Group B match.
As West Indies made their way back to the hotel in the team bus, stones were thrown by angry bystanders who thought the coach was carrying the home side.
"They (unruly fans) have tarnished the image of the nation and none should be allowed to do anything that will lower our image. I deeply regret the incident," Hasina told a meeting of her party on Monday
"We must accept the match results without any controversy or bickering. The unruly fans have brought shame on us."
