BPL T20 2017: Khulna Titans target final berth

Khulna Titans exhibited commendable display on their way to the top four of the BPL T20 last season. What made their achievement even more laudable was the fact they narrowly missed out on a place in the grand finale in their debut season. Their left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain, who played for Khulna in the last edition, said they are looking to go one better this time around when the money-spinning tournament gets underway Saturday in Sylhet.“First of all, our target is to qualify for the last four. And then the final. But we have to start well. Then we will go forward. We want to play good cricket,” the 35-year old told the media in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium Monday. In their pursuit of a place in the final however, Khulna will experience slight changes in the tournament, compared to the last edition. Chief among them will be the decision to include five foreigners in the playing XI, as opposed to four last time around.Mosharraf said this will only serve to increase the competition for places in the starting XI, with one local player in each side making way for a foreign cricketer. “I hope there will be a lot of competition on the field. Because the number of foreigners has increased. Everyone will be fully focused. The local players will also have to be focused. Because they will have to face established batsmen and bowlers. I believe competition will increase,” he informed. He added, “Since one extra foreign player will play in the XI, a local cricketer will have to make way. But those (locals) who will perform, they will obviously be in the limelight. Five (foreign) players have played in the XI before (in the first edition). Even then, the local players played well. But now, one place has decreased for the locals. But those who do well, the future is bright for them.”The Titans began training four days ago and Mosharraf stated that they are slowly but surely gelling as a side. “We practised for the last few days. The foreign cricketers have arrived. Everyone is enjoying. I believe if we train for a few more days then friendly relation will develop among us. The understanding between team mates will also develop.” As far as his individual goal is concerned, Mosharraf said, “I usually bat in the lower order. There, the chance to score runs is very little. I try my very best to contribute, be it 15 or 20 runs. Because you can’t simply score a fifty while batting in those positions.”