Bangladesh skipper Mashrafee bin Murtaza hailed the professional approach of the Tigers that helped them make a comeback after being pushed into a difficult situation in the third one-day international against Pakistan on Wednesday. Pakistan were in a comfortable position reaching 203-2 in 39th over but the Tigers clawed their way back to dismiss them for 250 before racing for an eight-wicket win to complete the clean sweep off three-match series.
‘From a professional point of view our comeback in the match was the biggest achievement of our team in the series,’ Mashrafee told reporters.
‘I think it [the comeback] was the most satisfying fact than in the series,’ said Mashrafee.
The Tigers picked Pakistan’s last eight wickets for 47 runs to change the complexion of the match that looked very much in favour of the tourists.
This aptitude to fight until the end was the outcome of a changed mindset, pointed out Mashrafee.
‘I always said that we might face some difficult times and it will be testing for us,’ he said.
‘There were certain things that changed the course of the match like the catch of Nasir Hossain’, Mashrafee said, referring to the catch at square leg that had Fawad Alm dismissed for four.
‘If we can continued to keep our approach at this level we can keep moving forward,’ he said.
Mashrafee hailed the performance of Soumya Sarkar for playing the match-winning knock of 127 runs that augured a bright future for the left-hander.
Soumya had been a revelation for Bangladesh in the World Cup despite him playing only few cameos.
‘He continued to play his natural game despite making 20s and that was important to come out of this kind of patch,’ he said.
‘He [also] played positive cricket and helped us in the World Cup,’ Mashrafee said.
Tiger skipper was equally happy with the squad that he feels is the best possible team with the potential to go a long way.
‘I think this is the best possible squad and they are prepared to do the hard work.
‘We had the confidence and it all indicates that we are on track of making a change,’ he said.
-With New Age input