Mashrafe Mortaza confident of better show in their 2018 campaign opener

Mashrafe Mortaza says they also have plans against their two former coaches - Chandika Hathurusingha and Heath Streak.

Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe | Getty Images

Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza, on Sunday, said he is confident that they can offer a strong fight to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe if they successfully execute 70-80 percent of their plans in the coming tri-nation series at home which starts with hosts Bangladesh taking on Zimbabwe. 

All matches of the One Day series are scheduled to be played under lights and the current weather in Bangladesh is expected to be a major challenge for it is expected to be windy with very little sunshine, while fog and dew are sure to have some kind of impact.

According to a report in Cricbuzz, Mortaza told reporters, “They are supposed to have ideas about our entire squad. Heath Streak left nearly two years ago while Hathurusingha was there in our last series at the same time, we also know what they might plan against us.”

The skipper went to further added, “We are more focused to execute 70-80 percent of our plans and if we can execute our plans, I am sure we can offer something new. There may be risks but we will still try to do that. I don't think that any risk is calculative. Analysts only call it calculative when it leads to success; otherwise, people say why they took such a risk? So it will be calculative from our side, but we have to wait and see what happens. It is good to be smart in cricket, but not over-smart.”

The 34-year-old also said that their playing XI will depend on the weather – fog situation, hinting to play with the usual three-seam attack. Mortaza stated, “We are in a bit of doubt whether to bat or bowl first. It would depend on the fog situation on a particular day. I don't think the toss will have a big say, and even if it does, we have the players with the ability to reduce the difference.”

He further added, “We have hardly played many games since 2015 with less than three pace bowlers. They have helped us win games and have also been cause of some losses too. There can be a bad patch, but it is important to have faith in the pace bowlers, especially with a World Cup in England coming up.”

Commenting on the dressing room condition, He said, “The dressing room is mostly relaxed. We don't have the pressure we have felt in the past. I don't want them to be too relaxed because sometimes nervous energy can bring out the best in a player inside the field. There is always pressure when you are playing for your country. It is a good thing, because the best performance comes out in a pressure situation. But I think many of our players have played under more intense pressure. We didn't get what we wanted from our last tour but I am hopeful that we will be able to execute better this time.”

Mortaza concluded, “We want to win and win well but it won't be easy. Zimbabwe have done well in the recent past beating Sri Lanka. Even the Sri Lankans won a game in India, and they are a good side.”

The tri-nation ODI series between Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka already begun today with the hosts Bangladesh plays Zimbabwe in the series opener at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur. 

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 15 Jan, 2018

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