Bangladesh will take guard against complacency when they will face New Zealand today in the third and final one-dayer of the three-match series at Fatullah seeking a repeat of their success in the previous series. The Tigers had humbled New Zealand 4-0 in October 2010 and are already 2-0 up this time, making the hope a realistic one and raising a great expectation among the fans.
The buzz of a 3-0 win was growing louder with every passing hour ever since the Tigers sealed the series with a 40-run win in Thursday’s second one-dayer.
The victory, which came against the backdrop of a 43-run win in the rain-hit opening match, made the Tigers favourites for a clean sweep victory, though pace bowler Mashrafee bin Murtaza insisted New Zealand are yet to see Bangladesh’s best.
‘We were not up to the mark in the first two matches,’ Mashrafee told reporters on Saturday ‘We could not put in a combined effort. We made a lot of mistakes yet we won because they had committed more mistakes than us.’
Mashrafee played a key role in Bangladesh’s win taking three wickets for 43 runs with all of his wickets coming at a crucial stage.
He provided Bangladesh the early breakthrough, broke the resistance of Corey Anderson, and bowled Tim Southee before New Zealand’s last wicket pair could spoil the party that began with the visitors eight down for 157.
‘If we consider our bowling and fielding then it was up to the mark as the spinners did their job despite dew as it made difficult for them to grip the ball,’ said Mashrafee.
‘[But] in the first match we lost quick wickets at the start while we failed to build a big partnership in the second game.
‘We won because we were focused. If one part could not do well we tried to compensate it by performing in other areas,’ said Mashrafee. ‘These changes occurred in our mental approach that is important for every team.’
‘But there are lot of challenges ahead especially when we play abroad and we would certainly need time for that,’ he added.
Mashrafee denied they were relaxed despite the Tigers making very little effort in the training session unlike the first two matches.
‘There is no place to get relaxed. Some of the players may have slight niggles and so they trained individually with the trainer while some of us went through rehab with the physio,’ said Mashrafee.
‘But there is certainly no scope for relaxation as we have not become such a professional team in the world cricket that we can relax because we have won the series,’ he added.
Opener Tamim Iqbal did not bat in the net and spent most of his time taking photographs as he was rested after complaining of pain in the abdomen.
Tamim picked up the injury during the second ODI and is a doubt for today’s match. Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak is struggling with his back stiffness and can be replaced by Ziaur Rahman.
Bangladesh head coach Shane Jurgenson said he is looking forward to the pace bowling unit to play a vital role like they did in the last two ODIs.
‘Mash’s experience and leadership is vital to the team now and for the future pace bowling in this country,’ said Jurgensen. The coach added: ‘Rubel has been bowling aggressively with very good pace and executed his variation very well.’
-With New Age input
