ZCZC
BSP-18
CRICKET-SIKANDAR-RAZA-ZIM
Zimbabwe relies on experience to deal with Bangladesh’s spinners
DHAKA, Feb 20, 2020 (BSS)-Zimbabwe’s senior player Sikandar Raza was
upbeat that they got enough experience under their belt to deal with the
Bangladeshi spinners, who tormented them in the recent past in the longer
version format.
Even though he relied on the experience, things didn’t go smoothly for
the Southern African nation in the two-day practice match in which they
failed to negotiate the Under-19 spinner Shahadat Hossain, who despite being
an occasional bowler got three wickets.
History suggested that the Bangladeshi spinners remained most successful
against Zimbabwe. Even though Bangladesh would be without the service of
Shakib Al Hasan, the likes of Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Nayeem
Hasan have ability to pose a far more danger to Zimbabwe. Taijul’s career
best 8-39, also best bowling figure by any Bangladeshi bowler came against
this Zimbabwe side. But still Sikandar Raza sounded optimistic, vastly due to
deal with the Sri Lankan spin bowlers successfully back at home in January.
Zimbabwe put up a huge fight in that two-match Test series before losing it
by 1-0.
They also had the experience of beating Bangladesh in Sylhet in their
last series here in 2018, dealing with the spinners utmost successfully.
“Bangladesh spinner got a very good record against us. But I think the
experience we have coming to Bangladesh, we learned something and try to
improve our game,” Sikandar Raza said here on Thursday before the team’s
practice session at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
“As much as you can say their spinners have taken lot of wickets but we
started to score some runs against them. Sylhet Test was a prime example of
that and we won that game.”
“We lost the first Test against Sri Lanka back at home but we could have
drawn it with ease. The second Test was lot closer than the result showed. We
drew that Test but we could have won it. We have taken a lot of confidence
from that performance. Hopefully we could translate that into Bangladesh.”
Sikandar Raza said the mental strength of the new guys in the team is
excellent which gave him the hope that the Zimbabwe cricket would be revived
with full glory.
“The bench strength is quite strong. Over the years the way we applied
ourselves it is nice and also nice to see the way the boys have come again
with a strong mentality. The mentality of the boys is our main strength. We
always had strong mentality. We are ready for the challenge,” he concluded.
BSS/SMP/BZC/1929HRS