Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha said the game against South Africa Monday in New York in the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup is another opportunity for his side to achieve the unachieved – playing in the second round of the tournament.
The match is scheduled to start at 8:30pm BST.
Former Sri Lanka cricketer Hathurusingha however, admitted of the big concern with the top-order batting.
The below-par performances from batters is denting the side’s ambition.
“Every game has pressure. It is another important game for us. We want to do something we haven’t done before: getting into the second round. It is another big opportunity for us to fulfill that target,” said Hathurusingha.
“We talk about their [batters’] game, their strength and their opposition. Once they get into the middle, they are on their own. They need to understand their game and how they feel. It is not technical. If you look at the dismissals, they are not getting out in a certain way. I think they need to calm down, and think about their strength. When you are confident, you play to your strength. That’s the message for any batter: remember your actions when you are doing well,” he added.
Apart from Group D leaders South Africa as formidable opponents, the Tigers would also have to contend with the drop-in pitches at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.
“The wicket hasn’t been easy for batters. It brings both teams [Bangladesh and South Africa] equally into the game. South Africa have a decent bowling attack. We are confident of giving a good fight on this surface,” said the Bangladesh coach.
The Bangladesh bowling attack has been impressive for some time now and the unit has carried the form into the 20-nation world event.
Fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman were brilliant in the previous game but it was young leg-spinner Rishad Hossain who stole the show.
The 21-year old wrist spinner finished with three wickets for 22 runs, an effort that won him the Player-of-the-Match award.
“It is the most pleasing thing to come out of the last game [Rishad’s performance]. We backed him for a year. We knew that he is going to win games for us. Winning that game was important. It was very satisfying,” said Hathurusingha.
“You know how challenging it is for us to get a leg-spinner into the team. I don’t blame anybody. It is the culture. We don’t understand the value of a leg-spinner. Even in this game he went for runs in the first over, so I give credit to Shanto (Nazmul Hossain) for bringing him for the last two overs to change the game. I think we are understanding the value of leg-spin, and he is growing in confidence,” he added.
