The country’s cricket arena is hot about not keeping Tamim in the World Cup team. However, Bangladesh cricket team left the country with the dream of doing something good in the World Cup. After reaching India, the Tigers have already played two preparatory matches.
Bangladesh won the first warm-up match against Sri Lanka. But they got the bitter taste of defeat against England in their second warm-up match. But the most comforting thing in the preparation for the two matches is the return of the top-order runs.
Tanjid Tamim showed his potential in both matches. Mehdi Miraj is ready to bat in any position. Seeing all these as positive, Nazmul Shant, who played the role of captain in the second warm-up match, is calm. He also praised the pace department separately. That will boost the team’s confidence ahead of the Afghanistan match.
Questions have arisen about how justified Lytton’s dismissal against England is. If the umpire was a little more careful, Liton could have extended the innings. But Tanjid Tamim is showing hope. Markute played innings in the second consecutive match.
Team management can also find confidence in Mehdi Mirage. After scoring fifty in two preparatory matches, the demand for promotion in the batting order is being strengthened day by day. Shant sees his getting runs with the bat as a positive for the team as well.
After the match, Nazmul Shanto said, ‘Mehdi is playing amazingly. Fortunately for us, Mehdi can bat in any position. That will help us in this tournament.’
With Allan Donald around, the Tigers’ pace attack now earns the respect of any team. In the match against England, although the pacers were at a loss, the bowling of Fitz-Taskin-Shakib also suffered for the Three Lions batsmen.
Mustafiz must be told separately. It was seen against England how dangerous the new ball can be. Mustafiz gave the team the desired break through with the new ball in the two ODIs against New Zealand at home. That trend was also in Guwahati. Fizz tested the English batsmen well in the first spell with great seam movement. He also gave runs on bad balls.
Hasan conceded almost 10 runs per over but dismissed Brooke with a dream delivery. So even though he lost, at the end of the match he praised his calm teammates.
Nazmul Shanto said, ‘It was a very good match for us. Everyone’s preparation has been very good. Especially we have to talk about fast bowlers. They bowled well. It will help us in the first match.’
Bangladesh team’s destination from Guwahati is now Dharamshala. The Tigers’ World Cup mission will begin there from October 7.
(03 October/NBW)