Bangladesh captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza believes support should be given to debutant Fazle Rabbi Mahmud, despite his tame debut in international cricket against Zimbabwe in the first ODI at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Sunday.
Fazle was under the spotlight in the first ODI as he is being considered as the replacement of the injured Shakib al Hasan, due to his ability of batting in the top-order, and also for his handy left-arm spin.
Fazle only managed to play four balls without scoring on his debut while batting at No 3 before being caught behind by wicket-keeper Brendan Taylor off the bowling of Tendai Chatara.
The left-hander also bowled three overs without getting a wicket, conceding 16 runs.
The skipper lent support to the 30-year old all-rounder and believes he should be provided at least one more chance to prove himself in the international arena.
Uncapped Fazle Rabbi has been picked for the upcoming ODI series due to his versatile ability of batting in the middle-order, and effectiveness as a spinner in the middle part of the innings.https://t.co/laaVjqbwfy#FAZLERABBI #FAZLE #RABBI #MAHMUD #FAZLEMAHMUDRABBI #BCBTIGERS
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) October 13, 2018
“Personally, I feel at least one more chance should be given to Fazle. It’s tough to judge a player after only one match. He lost his wicket to a very good delivery. You can’t also blame him for getting out to that delivery. We have given enough opportunities to players previously. We have plenty of players in the dugout who are also very good cricketers, like Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Ariful Haque. So the decision will be taken after discussing with the coach and selectors. But I believe we should give him proper support and more chances,” said Mashrafe to the media at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium in Chittagong Tuesday while replying to a question on Fazle’s performance in the first ODI.
Mashrafe admitted that international cricket is a totally different ball-game altogether, compared to the domestic circuit, as the pressure is enormous for a new player.
“In international cricket, the first pressure is the presence of camera. There is automatic pressure when a player knows that the match is being televised. Also there is pressure of the home crowd, and of course our social media, which also plays a part. Press, teammates and family are also there, but all of these things don’t really matter at the domestic level. Nobody even bothers finding out. So it is a huge difference,” he added.
Bangladesh will play their second and penultimate ODI against visiting Zimbabwe at ZACCS Wednesday in the port city.
