Left-handed batsman Soumya Sarkar thought confidence they gather in the practice match will help them chase big scores and win the forthcoming series against West Indies.
Ahead of the three-match ODI series, which starts on Sunday, Soumya scored a swashbuckling century for BCB XI against the visiting Windies side to boost his confidence.
West Indies set a target of 332 but Soumya’s unbeaten 103 off just 87 along with century of opening batsman Tamim Iqbal propelled local team to 314-6 in 41 overs before rain ended the game.
Soumya, who scored a century in Bangladesh’s last ODI against Zimbabwe, looked in a fine touch hitting seven boundaries and six sixes and the dashing striker thought Bangladesh can easily chase 300 plus score in the ODIs against the Caribbean side.
“If we may continue this or if all of us have this confidence it will help us in the next games. We chased over 300 runs in the practice game and we won sparing few overs. If we may make such a start in the main match 300 would not be a big deal. It will be easy,” said the 25-year old Soumya.
Bangladeshi fans were thrilled to know Tamim Iqbal, who has missed International games in last two months due to injury, was in red-hot form scoring a 107 off just 73 balls.
Chasing the big total Tamim took the Windies bowlers under his sword and that allowed his younger partner Soumya some time to set himself in.
Soumya said Tamim never seemed to be out of touch and he thought his support would help the side.
“Of course, the way Tamim vai was batting coming back from injury it did not seem he was out of the arena for a while. I thought as he was doing well if I may support him, it will ease the chase,” said the southpaw.
Soumya also said he had no plan in the beginning and Tamim’s brilliance and presence help him grow into confidence.
“Actually I had no plan in the beginning. Tamim vai was doing well. We were getting runs from every over. I tried to support him and watch the bowlers. He spoke some words to me which were helpful for me. I batted according to that. I played a wrong shot. He said a word to me and that helped me think clearly. Some words during the innings are very helpful. In the later stage I thought if I stay till the end, we will win. I stayed with that confidence till the end,” said Soumya, who batted at number three.
WEST INDIANS R B
Powell c Imrul b Nazmul 43 49
Hope st Akbar b Nazmul 81 84
Bravo c Akbar b Mehedi 24 33
Samuels c Mehedi b Mashrafe 5 12
Hetmyer c Soumya b Rubel 33 27
Rovman c Akbar b Shamim 0 5
Chase not out 65 51
Allen lbw b Rubel 48 32
Paul c Hridoy b Mehedi 2 4
Ambris not out 10 9
Extras (b 1, lb 6, w 13) 20
Total (50 Overs) 331/8
Fall Of Wickets
1-101 (Powell), 2-159 (Bravo), 3-167 (Hope), 4-175 (Samuels), 5-176 (Rovman), 6-215 (Hetmyer), 7-293 (Allen), 8-296 (Paul)
Bowling
Rubel 10-0-55-2, Mashrafe 8-1-37-1, Mehedi 10-0-65-2, Sahin 2-0-18-0, Soumya 8-0-72-0, Nazmul 10-0-61-2, Shamim 2-0-16-1
BCB XI R B
Tamim st Hope b Chase 107 73
Imrul c Hetmyer b Chase 27 25
Soumya not out 103 83
Mithun c Bravo b Bishoo 5 14
Ariful c & b Bishoo 21 18
Hridoy b Allen 0 5
Shamim b Thomas 9 12
Mashrafe not out 22 18
Extras (lb 9, nb 2, w 9) 20
Total (41 Overs) 314/6
Fall Of Wickets
1-81 (Imrul), 2-195 (Tamim), 3-202 (Mithun), 4-233 (Ariful), 5-234 (Hridoy), 6-265 (Shamim)
Bowling
Roach 5-0-49-0, Thomas 7-0-57-1, Chase 10-0-57-2, Paul 4-0-42-0, Bishoo 10-0-81-2, Allen 5-0-19-1
BCB XI won by 51 runs (D/L method)
