Bangladesh’s new one-day skipper Mashrafee bin Murtaza said they have little room to relax despite a convincing 87-run win in the first one-day international against Zimbabwe in Chittagong on Friday. Bangladesh overcame a poor start to put 281-7 and then dismissed Zimbabwe for 194 runs in 42.1 overs to end their 12-match losing streak and take 1-0 lead in the five-match series.‘I am not relieved,’ Mashrafee told reporters after the game. ‘We are here to win matches and that is why we play so there is no question of being relived.
‘We have to win the rest of the matches in this year and especially after losing so many matches throughout the year.’
Bangladesh came close to win on several occasions but yet ended up losing the games which made 2014 one of worst in their history.
They have finally put the dismal run behind them thanks to this win, though Zimbabwe still could dominate them in patches.
Mashrafee said that there is still lot of room for improvement in various areas and urged the players to pull up their socks.
‘I think the top-order did not play as expected neither the pace bowlers performed according to their potential,’ he said.
‘Though we won but these are areas where we need to put our focus,’ he said.
Bangladesh lost four wickets for 70 runs and could only post a competitive score after Sakib al Hasan notched up his sixth ODI century and put a record 148 runs with Mushfiqur Rahim for the fifth wicket.
-With New Age input
