Bangladesh will take some momentum into the forthcoming ICC World Twenty20 after playing according to their plans in two recent practice matches victories ahead of tomorrow’s tournament opener against Afghanistan. The Tigers had been down in the dumps over the last two months, losing nine ODI and T20I matches in a row before finally breaking out of their cycle of defeat in the first warm-up match against the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.
But their convincing 44-run win against Ireland at Fatullah on Friday was what the team was looking for to enhance their confidence levels going into the Twenty20 gala, and the players were happy to achieve that goal.
‘If a team wins it really boost the confidence of a side, and our target is to play well against Afghanistan,’ all-rounder Sabbir Rahman told reporters at Fatullah after the match.
‘We lost quite a few matches recently, and our target was to win the two warm-up matches, which we played well,’ said Sabbir, who scored 23 runs after coming in to the side in place of Mominul Haque.
Sabbir said that the 116-run partnership between Sakib al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim had eased the pressure on the team and that he hoped they would remain in form in the coming days.
‘Mushfiq and Sakib batted well and had a good partnership, and if they continue playing this way I think there would be no problem in the middle order for us.’
’All the 15 members of the squad are fit and looking to play our natural game, keeping the injuries away.’
Sabbir admitted that playing after long gaps always adds pressure, and he believes that it hampers a player’s ability to perform to his potential.
‘It’s always a pressure after suddenly getting into the side actually. It’s tough to play the natural game, but I will try to perform,’ said Sabbir.
‘This is my second T20 game after Sri Lanka so I will try to improve my game.’
Ireland skipper William Porterfield said that it was frustrating to lose by such a margin against the hosts.
‘It is always disappointing to lose by such a margin,’ said Porterfield, adding that it was the last few overs that had cost them the match.
Bangladesh scored 64 runs in the last five overs to post a respectable total of 179-3 on the back of half-centuries from Sakib and Mushfiq.
‘We hope to take some positives out of the match,’ said Porterfield.
-With New Age input
