ZCZC
BSP-17
CRICKET-NIXON-LOCAL-PLAYERS
Local players need to make them accountable: Nixon
DHAKA, Dec 29, 2019 (BSS)- Chattogram Challengers head coach Paul Nixon urged the local players to make them accountable since they have the idea about the pitches and condition in Bangladesh.
Chattogram at this moment sits at the top of the point table with 12 points from eight games, which keep them ahead to seal the play-off berth of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL).
Nixon believes that the tournament will get tougher as the time progresses and therefore the local players would have to take the onus more.
“We talked about this at the start of the tournament. The local boys are used to this condition so we want the local players to be our match winner,” Nixon said here today.
“The international guys bring a variation on the cake. But the local guys have massive roles to play. They have massive knowledge about this condition. As coaches it’s our job to challenge them and get the best of these guys. They should make them accountable,” he added.
However the way the things are going, Nixon appeared to be pleased with the performance of the local players. Even though they are missing their regular captain Mahmudullah Riyad, the stand-in captain Imrul Kayes stood tall and led the team from the front.
“The local guys have been playing really well as of now. Imrul Kayes stood out as a captain and as a batsman. He is learning as a captain,” he remarked.
He seemed to be particularly impressed with left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed’s performance. Nasum used to open the bowling for Chattogram and also is capable to bat lower down the order.
Terming Nasum as the new Imad Wasim, he said: “Nasum has been outstanding with the new ball. I rate him very highly. I think he is the new Imad Wasim. He can bat as well. He did not have a chance to bat. He has the knack to learn so quickly and in two games he learnt about T20 cricket. I think he is an exciting prospect for Bangladesh.”
Despite being in the favourable position in point table, Nixon emphasized on to keep up the momentum.
“Every team can beat every team in this competition. So we need to keep the momentum going,” he said.
“We had a tough time at home [Chattogram]. It was a tough schedule. We won 3 out of 4 in the home for which we are delighted. We were delighted with that went well and again to come back after Christmas break was so pleasing. We still have work to do and our fielding was much better in the last game. Batting wise we still want one of our top 3 to face 50 or 60 balls. You want to play your A game in the tournament and we want to pick in the right moment yes we are getting over the line which is important but still, there’s room for improvement,” he concluded.
BSS/SMP/AU/18:30 hrs