Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha echoed similar sentiment to one-day international captain Tamim Iqbal and said players don't need to be best of friends as long as it does not affect the team.
Hathurusingha made these remarks on the relation between two senior players of the team, Tamim and Shakib al Hasan, on the eve of the first ODI against England at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan revealed some shocking statements in a recent interview, pointing out that the biggest problem Bangladesh team have right now is grouping among players, and two star cricketers Tamim and Shakib not being in talking terms with each other.
But Hathurusingha believes as long as the team is not affected the players don't need to be best of friends with each other.
“First of all, I am here for just seven days. But I have been in teams and dressing rooms where everyone don't get along with everyone. But still when they step out, they play as a team. In an international team that's what you expect. When you play for the national team, you don't need to be best of friends. As long as that is not affecting the team, I don't have any problem and I don't see any problem either,” said Hathurusingha to the media Tuesday.
Earlier, Tamim's response regarding his relation with Shakib was: “The most important thing is we both try to give our best when we are in the middle of the field wearing the Bangladesh jersey. As a captain, I always get support from Shakib during the game and it is the same when he is captain in Test matches. We are always there with suggestions for each other. I think nothing else should matter if these things are right.”
England have revolutionized the white-ball game with their aggressive brand of cricket over the past few years, and are the current world champions in both 50 and 20 overs formats.
Bangladesh on the other hand have a tremendous home record in bilateral series as they last lost a series in ODIs back in 2016 against England.
Now Bangladesh also want to play attacking cricket in this series to prevail against the world champions, and are relishing the challenge posed by the England side not only with their long batting line-up but also a quality fast bowling arsenal.
"We played aggressive cricket in my last stint. There are many ways of playing aggressive cricket apart from hitting the ball out of the ground. It is the attitude that we are bringing. Whether fielding, bowling or batting, we will be aggressive," said Hathurusingha.
"We want to see where we are at, and find out the gap that we have to bridge. If we do well in these conditions, it will give us confidence.
"They have one of the best pace attacks in the world. They have five fast bowlers and three spinners on this tour. The challenge will be to play their fast bowlers in this series.”
