Sri Lanka batting coach Marvan Atapattu on Thursday said that the visitors were pleased to have taken part in a nail-biter in the first Twenty20 international as they believed it will help them be more equipped ahead of the ICC World T20. The Lankans prevailed by two runs in a close encounter against the hosts in Chittagong on Wednesday and Atapattu was of the opinion that it will prepare them well before the World T20 gets underway.
‘Hope to see more games such as these leading up to the World [T20],’ Atapattu told reporters at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium during the visitors’ optional practice session.
‘Well, that’s always the case when it comes to T20. The excitement will run till the end and what better example than [Wednesday]. Pleased to be in the correct dressing room.
‘We always thought they are a much better side when they come through the shorter formats. They played well.
‘One or two mistakes here and there and the game could have changed and it was evident,’ added the 43-year old.
Bangladesh were superb on the field as the fielders grabbed five catches to complement the good work of the bowlers who helped restrict the Lankans to a moderate 168-7 and Atapattu took time to praise the bowling display of the hosts.
‘Well, see, the wicket did surprise us a bit. Having said that the Bangladesh bowlers in the middle part of the game bowled well,’ he said.
‘[They] didn’t give us any leeway and did something that restricted our scoring.
‘Things like that can happen in a game. We soon understood that it was going to be slow and low as the day progressed. We tried to restrict them when we bowled,’ he added.
However, the former elegant opener, still remembered for his patient and picturesque style of batting, refused to comment on the decision given by television umpire Gazi Sohel after the final delivery was bowled by Thisara Perera.
Requiring three runs from the final ball, Perera bowled a waist-high full toss which Anamul
Haque mistimed and failed to dispatch out of the ground. The skier was taken by Perera and
the TV umpire then declared it a legitimate delivery.
‘See, I respect the umpire’s decision. I don’t think as cricketers or administrators or coaches we should talk about it. We have other people to control whatever happens and you have to pay that respect,’ said Atapattu.
-With New Age input
