Left-handed batsman Shahriar Nafees admitted that batting at number three in the national team will not be a problem for him as he plays in that position in the domestic cricket leagues.
Shahriar in all probability will be filling that position in the upcoming home series against Australia in place of Junaed Siddique, who was dropped after the World Cup and will tour South Africa with the Bangladesh A team.
The stylish batsman responded well in his new role to snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat with a match winning performance, scoring unbeaten 82 runs against Bangladesh A in a practice match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Friday.
‘I am comfortable with batting at number three,’ Shahriar told New Age after the match.
‘In the National Cricket League and Premier League I have been batting in that position for the last two years, so I have no problem in batting in that slot,’ said Shariar.
‘I always try to play in any position I am asked to but number three is a comfortable place for me,’ said Shahriar.
Shahriar thinks that the innings has come timely before the series against Australia. He featured in two matches in the World Cup and scored only 42 runs.
‘Before the Australia series this is the last practice match and I did not feature in all the matches of the World Cup, so I felt there was a bit of match practice as far as I am concerned,’ said Shahriar.
‘I took the opportunity to rectify my mistakes, but all will be well if I can repeat this performance against the Australians,’ he added.
He was also aware that the Australians would be eager to prove their supremacy after their early exit from the World Cup.
‘Definitely Australia will be desperate to prove themselves and that’s why they are sending their full-strength side,’ said Shahriar.
Shahriar hoped his team-mates will follow the instructions of their Australian coach Jamie Siddons, who earlier worked with the Australian team as a batting coach, in order to make a good preparation and put up a good show in the series.
‘Jamie Siddons had earlier worked with Australia and he knows a lot of things about them,’ said Shahriar.
‘We need to follow his instructions very carefully and if we can implement our plans together then we have a chance,’ said Shahriar.
Courtesy of New Age
