WI vs BAN 2018: Series win a confidence booster ahead of Asia Cup, says Mashrafe Mortaza

Bangladesh won the ODI series 2-1.

Bangladesh pose for a group photo after winning the series. (AFP)

Bangladesh completed a rare ODI series victory as they won the the the third and final ODI against the Windies in St Kitts on Saturday. Thereafter Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza has said that the series win is a great confidence booster ahead of the Asia Cup in Dubai in September. 

Tamim Iqbal led the charge once again with the bat and Mortaza led the initiative in their defence of 301. Both these experienced cricketers came together to make things work for The Tigers as they completed a memorable ODI series win. 

"I think we needed this win desperately if you consider our performance during the last couple of months,'' he said after the win on Saturday (July 28). "Certainly it will be a boost for us ahead of the Asia Cup.

"Cricket is a mental game. We lost the last ODI, and that too after having the game in our bag for 99 overs, but today I think it was a professional performance from the boys. The boys are in good touch."

Despite the series win, Mortaza said that the series win doesn't hide the loopholes that are there in their game as yet. "I don't think winning the series is everything because we still have a lot of areas to work on,'' he pointed out. "We need to work on our fielding. Tamim, Shakib and Mushy (Musfiqur Rahim) played really well. Now the juniors have to step up and take responsibility."

Mortaza was especially happy with the efforts of Rubel Hossain who took the key wicket of Chris Gayle to choke the Windies chase.  "I think Rubel did a good job. At that time removing Gayle was necessary as he was scoring runs fluently."

Bangladesh will now take on the hosts in a three-match T20I series with the first game in St Kitts and the remaining two in Florida.

(Inputs from Cricbuzz) 

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 30 Jul, 2018

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