Bangladesh one-day international skipper Mashrafee bin Murtaza believes that the Tigers are ready for the bigger challenges in the upcoming days after their triumph over Zimbabwe in the five-match series that ended on Monday. Mashrafee, who took over the ODI captaincy from Mushfiqur Rahim recently, guided Tigers to a clean sweep 5-0 win in the series which came after a 3-0 success in preceding Test series.
The rout was completed as the Tigers won Monday’s fifth ODI by five-wicket with more than half of their overs to spare.
With the ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand from February-March 2015 being their next international assignment, this is considered to be the perfect tonic to prepare for the bigger stage.
‘There is no substitute of success and we play for that,’ Mashrafee told reporters at Mirpur.
‘We could not do well for quite sometime this year but that does not imply we were playing badly. Perhaps could not give the finishing.
‘We are in some sort of rhythm and there is hardly anything worth considering other than win in a cricket field,’ said a confident-looking skipper.
Mashrafee said that he is confident regarding putting up a good show in the World Cup if the members are sincere with their own self regarding their individual preparation in the remaining next two months ahead of the mega event.
Bangladesh completed their last international assignment with the Zimbabwe series and now players are expected to fulfill their commitment for their respective clubs in the Dhaka Premier League.
‘I think we still have two months left and all the players should take care of them both physically and mentally and also regarding their practice,’ said Mashrafee.
‘If we can look after these areas than hopefully in the World Cup we will perform well,’ said Mashrafee
‘Our batting order had a collapse [again] this is a matter of concern,’ he said
‘Nobody expects five wickets to fall while chasing such a low score. So, obviously I think we have to keep these things in mind for the future because we will face more difficult situations in the future.’
Mashrafee added that pace bowlers backing spinners would be key to Bangladesh’s success in the World Cup.
‘Bowlers did well in this year and hopefully they can handle the big challenge in the coming days,’ he said. ‘On most matches we are dependent on spinners but at the same time pace bowlers should be backed more.
‘Spinners won’t bail you out every time and unless spinners are provided support by the pace bowlers we cannot be successful, he said.
Mashrafee was extremely happy for debutant left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, who created a new record by claiming a hat-trick on debut helping the Tigers dismiss the opponents cheaply.
‘Taijul came for just one match and yet he performed,’ said Mashrafee
‘Hat-trick can be considered to be lucky but he bowled well and he bowled on the same spot and did what was required to benefit the team.’
-With New Age input
