Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusinghe predicted a high-scoring match when his charges will take on Australia in their next match in the ICC World Twenty20 in Bangalore on Monday.
The ongoing tournament has already seen few high-scoring matches and Bangladesh were at the receiving end in one such occasion when they conceded 201 runs against Pakistan.In another occasion, England successfully chased down South Africa’s 229-4, indicating that the tournament is going to stage some run-fests.
Speaking to reporters in Bangalore on Saturday, Hathurusinghe said he expects 180 runs will be the par score at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
‘This one [pitch] we expect little more pace on the ball and the ball will come on to the bat and it will be high scoring,’ he said. ‘[Here] 180 runs on the board is a good par, so yes it is a good batting wicket.’
Hathurusinghe said they put emphasis on bowling because chasing 200 seem difficult with his team’s batting strength.
‘Facing 200 runs is always tough. We need to make good decisions and have to make clear mind,’ he said. ‘I hope that one day we will do, we have not done it. That’s the reason we play with five bowlers and keep the oppositions under chaseble target, that’s our game plan.
‘But if the opposition gets 200 we have no choice but to fight to get there.’
Bangladesh will begin the match on par with Australia after both teams lost their opening match.
But Hathurusinghe said they will get some advantage as the current Australia team is not sure about its combination. ‘You know Australia is a strong team. But one thing I really noticed that this time they are not sure of their combination,’ he said.
‘They really are always sure of what they are doing but in this tournament you can see the level of their combination. So that’s a bit of advantage I think then the previous times.’
Bangladesh also face some tricky decision after two of their bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny were banned by the International Cricket Council.
While Hathurusinghe was still unsure about the outcome of their Tests when he spoke to the reporters, he indicated that Tigers are likely to stick with the same batting line-up.
It means Soumya Sarkar can still expect another chance despite struggling so far in the tournament.
‘You all have short memory. He won the match for us defeating Pakistan and [helped us] qualify for the Asia Cup final,’ said Hathurusinghe. That’s how many matches ago – four matches.
‘If you judge someone within four innings who has done so much for last one and half year, you are in a very shaky situation,’ said the former Sri Lankan player who has vast experience of coaching in Australia.
-With New Age input
