Air pollution no concern as Tigers aim to turn around

Bangladesh will kick-start their India series Sunday at Arul Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi with the first of three T20Is.

The air pollution situation in Delhi has worsened as the state government has shut down the schools until Tuesday, and also started distributing 50 lakh breathing masks since Friday.

But cricket has not stopped as both Bangladesh and India practiced in their scheduled time in the last few days ahead of the T20I series-opener.  

Pollution is not the main concern for Bangladesh team at the moment as they have faced a horrible time last week.

Tigers captain and star all-rounder Shakib al Hasan was banned by the International Cricket Council Tuesday for two years, with one year of that suspended, for failing to report three corrupt approaches by a listed bookie to take part in illegal activities.

@BCBtigers acting T20I captain @Mahmudullah30 has said the bond and love between @Sah75official and the remaining national team players remains the same, and they will welcome him back with open arms when his ban expires.https://t.co/L8qNK8H328#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #SHAKIB

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) November 2, 2019

Shakib was supposed to lead the Tigers in the India T20Is but was later replaced in the squad by left-arm spinner Taijul Islam with Mahmudullah named captain in Shakib’s stead.

The incident shook the cricket fraternity of Bangladesh as Shakib is widely regarded as the best player Bangladesh have ever produced.

This is the first time Bangladesh are playing a complete away series in India, comprising three T20Is and two Test matches, and the absence of Shakib has struck the Tigers hard.

To add to the woes, the national and first-class Bangladesh players went on strike on October 21 demanding, placing their 13-point demands and stopping all cricketing activities. 

The issue was resolved later and players got back to business on October 26. 

@BCCI captain @ImRo45 has said @BCBtigers always put up a strong fight against Team India, and will be a competitive opponent once agin in the upcoming series despite the absence of some key players.https://t.co/0ThlQSA4ek#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESHCRICKET #BANGLADESH

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) November 2, 2019

After all these turmoil in the last few days, Team Bangladesh are now focusing on cricket and determined to perform well in India to lift some gloom, and the first hurdle will start Sunday in the Indian capital.

Tigers’ stand-in skipper Mahmudullah admitted India are one of the toughest opponents in world cricket, particularly on their home soil, but believes Bangladesh do not have not many things to lose in the series. 

The experienced all-rounder said the Tigers will play positive cricket and put up a tough fight.  

“Obviously India are very strong opponent in their home. We have nothing to lose in the series but we can gain many things. We are thinking positively and will try to play our best cricket to win the match,” said Mahmudullah in the pre-match press conference in New Delhi Saturday.

Bangladesh are also missing Tamim Iqbal as the opening batsman took a leave due to personal reason. 

Mahmudullah said their batsmen need to step up and score big to give the bowlers a good chance, and also urged his young players to utilize the opportunities.