Bangladesh skipper Mashrafee bin Murtaza said on Saturday that he will bank on the spirited body language of Tigers during the second one-day international against Pakistan as he believes that was the key to their success. Tigers defeated Pakistan by 79 runs in the opening game of the three-match ODI series to break their losing streak against the tourists that lasted for 16 years and showed their potential at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Friday.
The effort was somewhat a follow-up of their performance in the World Cup where they appeared in their maiden quarter-final under the leadership of Mashrafee, who will lead today after missing the opener for a suspension.
Bangladesh were struggling at 67-2 at one-stage before a partnership of 178 runs between Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim set up a total of 329, Bangladesh’s highest ever in ODIs.
‘I always tried to see my players come up with a spirited body language all the time ,after being appointed as the captain,’ said Mashrafee.
‘It is something that doesn’t happen in every match.
‘If you start badly, the body language will eventually be bad. So the start is really important and we got that start yesterday [Friday] that set the game for us.
‘Now I want to see how our body language remains in difficult situations. We are all trying to show a positive body language on the field.’
Mashrafee was full of praise for Tamim Iqbal, who scored a century after two years, as he felt that it was knocking at the door due to his dedication.
‘I always said to everyone that scoring runs for Tamim is only a matter of time. One can easily say that he is not in good form. But the way he was training in the nets, I always thought that he will be amongst the runs very soon.
‘Now he has returned to form but the important thing for him is to hold on to this form. You all must pray for him because one match is not everything,’ said Mashrafee.
Mashrafee was equally praiseful for Mushfiq, as he believes that Mushfiq has become the run machine of Bangladesh. Because the way he has been batting for the last two to three years.
‘He has become a run machine for Bangladesh and the way he has been playing for the last two to three years is simply outstanding.
‘Only the world’s best batsmen play like that. But he doesn’t get the focus like the others. That is good for him.
‘Hopefully he can continue scoring runs for us. Regarding the shots he plays, the way he bats in the nets, even when we don’t have practice, the one player who always bats in the nets separately is Musfhiq. He always has the desire and that is what brought him here,’ said Mashrafee.
Mashrafee also asked his team-mates to give their hundred per cent when they take on the tourist irrespective of whether they are able to perform in their respective fields.
‘If you look at Australia, all the batsmen can’t bat but they do their jobs on the field. I think this is a good sign that a batsman who doesn’t get the chance shows his caliber on the field.
‘This is what is happening now. At the moment we are going through a good time and hope when the rough times come we can play the same way.
‘None of us can relax,’ he said.
-With New Age input
