Shakib, Hathurusinghe downplay rivalries with Sri Lanka and Afghanistan
Recently, Afghanistan beat Bangladesh 2-1 in a three-match ODI series in Chattogram earlier than the house aspect hit again by successful the T20I sequence 2-0. Bangladesh received their final bilateral ODI sequence towards Sri Lanka, though Sri Lanka, the co-hosts of the Asia Cup, dominate the head-to-head document 40-9. The two sides will meet on August 31 in Pallekele earlier than Bangladesh face Afghanistan in Lahore on September 3.
Shakib, although, mentioned that the rivalry between Bangladesh and these two groups is extra for followers, because the gamers have grown to know one another by means of worldwide encounters and franchise leagues and do not take it as critically.
“I don’t like the word ‘rivalry’,” Shakib mentioned. “We have been competitive against both these teams recently. They try their hardest to win; we also give it our all. These things are good for the fans. It is good for the game. We also want it to be this way. We want to win at the end of the day. Since we all know each other, there’s not much rivalry within the players.”
Bangladesh’s head coach Hathurusinghe echoed Shakib’s ideas. “I’m not aware of the rivalry, but then, lately, those two teams played really good games against each other, especially in the previous Asia Cups,” he mentioned. “So I think both teams give us a good challenge.
“At the identical time, I feel we had some success towards them within the current previous. So we do not take the rivalry under consideration, however our technique towards each groups is [focused on] how we will get a bonus.”
Bangladesh’s big question in this Asia Cup would be whether they will play with five or six bowlers. One extra bowler will mean they end up with a longer tail, although Hathurusinghe said that the bowlers have worked hard on their batting recently.
“Not by probability, however by situation, we’d play that type of mixture [six bowlers]. We preserve that in thoughts. The bowlers educated on their batting loads in most likely the final two months, three months with our ability coaches.
“Taskin [Ahmed] improved a lot [as a batter]. He has given us evidence as well against England. He closed the game out. At the same time, if you remember, Shoriful [Islam] showed against Ireland and the Afghanistan game what he could do, and got us over the line. Other batsmen also work hard. To name a few, Hasan Mahmud has come a long way and Fizz [Mustafizur Rahman], in his own way, is hitting big, big, big shots.”
Shakib, nevertheless, is conscious that Ebadot Hossain’s absence – Ebadot could not get well from the knee injury he sustained towards Afghanistan in July – will probably be a blow to his aspect. “We have had a good preparation but it is unfortunate that Ebadot isn’t in the side,” he mentioned. “He was quite an important member of the team. It is a setback.
“I nonetheless, nevertheless, imagine that we will attain far with this crew. We should qualify first. We wish to take it one match at a time. We aren’t pondering too far forward. We will attempt to get a great end result, and win each sport.”
“The crew and I are fairly assured about Tanzid’s means,” Shakib said. “It does not imply that he will not be a great participant if he would not do properly in two or 4 matches. The reverse can be true. There’s a variety of time in hand.
“I want him to enjoy the game and the environment around the team. We will try to make him feel as comfortable as possible. If he feels that way, he can give something good for Bangladesh.”
Tanzid and Tanzim Hasan Sakib, the right-arm quick bowler who changed Ebadot, make it eight cricketers from Bangladesh’s Under-19 World Cup-winning aspect from 2020 to have acquired call-ups to the senior crew throughout codecs. Shakib mentioned that it was good to have them within the squad as they convey their World Cup-winning mentality to the dressing room.
“They have won the World Cup once, so they have the winning mentality. They can inspire our team to do something major, too. They want to win, so this is something vital for a team. I am hopeful that they bring this mentality to the team, which will help us build the dressing room environment as a result.”
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84