DHAKA, July 27, 2019 (BSS)- Bangladesh stand-in skipper Tamim Iqbal urged his bowlers to step up in the wake of their must-win game when they take on Sri Lanka in the second ODI on Sunday.
As a defeat in the match would cost them the three-match series, Tamim said they need to be more proactive as they made some mistakes in their 91-run drubbing in the first ODI on Friday.
The defeat largely came due to their wayward bowling and shoddy fielding performance. Only pacer Shafiul Islam showed some character, claiming 3-62in his comeback match after three years while in batting Sabbir Rahman and Mushfiqur Rahim played 60 plus knock.
”Death bowling was a concern for us actually. But I think we did very well in the first match, specially Mustafizur and Shafiul. I want to mention Shafiul, because it’s difficult for anyone to come like this and perform. It’s very difficult for any cricketer. He did really nice today,’ Tamim said.
”And in new ball we were disappointed because it was very rare that they hit a good ball for four or took a risk. It was rather a short ball or a ball outside leg. So, in this area, we need to think and come back very strongly because normally it’s a very good wicket. And if you give away boundaries in a good wicket then it becomes difficult,” he said
”But the bowlers I have, I have complete trust on them. I am sure they will find a way and come back strongly,” he said adding that they need to raise their standard as a fielding unit.
The catching and fielding had been an issue for Bangladesh for quite some time and it was no in different against Sri Lanka in their opening game.
“The way we are fielding right now, we are not that bad of a fielding unit. If you look, the disappointing fact is that, we were not up to the mark in fielding and our best fielders are doing those. So, this thing is very disappointing. As I said before we are a much better fielding side.”
“We have done good fielding before and we have some very good fielders too. But if we field like this, if you take in account the whole match you will see we had given 10-15 runs more in fielding, we gave away some boundaries and singles. These 10-15 runs become big at the end of the match. In this area we have to improve very quickly because in batting and bowling everything may not be in your control. In batting, you can get a good ball, in bowling, you can get hit for four in a good delivery. But fielding is one side in which if you want you can do good. So this is the one side in which we have to something very quickly,” he concluded.