File Photo: Bangladeshi cricket fans attend a rally as a show of support to their national team at the Dhaka University Campus. (Press trust of India)
Bangladesh Sports Minister Biren Sikder today said his country will win the next cricket World Cup. He blamed 'umpiring bias' for the exit of the Tigers from the quarter-finals of the 2015 World Cup at the hands of India on Thursday, reports bdnews24.com.
He made the remark at a college function in his constituency in Magura, the place vice-captain Shakib Al Hasan hails from.
Journalists had sought his reaction to the outcome of the quarter-final match against defending champions India. Cricket fans in Bangladesh have been protesting against alleged umpiring errors in the match.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, too, has said Bangladesh were made to lose the match. Mr. Sikder said Bangladesh would complain to the International Cricket Council (ICC) against what is being perceived as flawed umpiring decisions.
"There was bad umpiring, extreme injustice," he said. He urged cricketers to reply to this 'injustice' by winning the next World Cup.
"We want to show the world through hard work that we can make history as a strong team," Mr. Sikder said.
Ms Hasina has also said Bangladesh will become world champions some day.