DHAKA, March 31, 2021 (BSS)- Bangladesh all-rounder Soumya Sarkar refused
to give up the hopes of winning a match on New Zealand soil despite the
side’s perpetual failure here in the limited over series.
The Tigers were swept in three-match ODI series and now are standing on
the brink of tasting another whitewash in three-match T20 International
series, following their 66-run and 28-run defeats in the first two matches.
After the five straight defeats in this series, Bangladesh losing-streak
on New Zealand stretched to 31 (16 ODIS, 9 Tests and 6 T20Is). The stat
showed how vulnerable they are here against the Kiwis.
But Soumya who gave Bangladesh a glimmer of hope to win the second T20
match, blasting a 27 ball-51 said, if they can put up a good performance in
all departments, they still can win a match here, contrary to the popular
belief.
“It is possible to win here,” he said in a recorded video message sent by
the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) today.
“But the way we are playing… We are not consistent indeed. When we
batted well, we bowled badly, fielded badly. If we can put up good
performance in all three departments, we could have won a match. Here one
match is still left and we are determined to come all guns blazing in all
three departments.” He went on to saying: “In the last match, we fielded well
even though there were little mistakes. We’ve to rectify the mistakes, we’ve
to execute the plan well and if we can tick all the boxes, I’m sure we will
be able to win.”
Bangladesh lost the second T20 by 28 runs through D/L method but not
before the drama as they didn’t know what their revised target after New
Zealand ended their innings of 173-5 in 17.5 following the interruption of
rain for twice.
The Tigers were under impression that they need to chase 148 in 16 overs
but nine balls later they came to know that the target was set 170. Later, it
was revised again and the target stood 171 in 16 overs.
Soumya said the intent was positive despite the DLS confusion in the
match.
“We’re not aware of the target but the intent was positive,” Soumya said.
“When I went to the field, I talked to umpire about the target and he said. I
started, eying that target that he informed me but when I struck four in the
first ball I faced, I got the confidence to go on top of the bowlers.”
“There was earnest initiative to take the side to the winning position and
the wicket was good. It could have been good, had we won the game,” he
concluded.