The visiting Zimbabwe cricketers without any doubt are deeply disappointed having lost all matches across both formats – Test and one-day international – in their 45-day tour of Bangladesh but the side’s coach Stephen Mangongo believes it’s not the end of the world.
Mangongo credited the home side who he thought played exceptional cricket throughout the tour, but also acknowledged the effort from his charges, especially the bowlers.
“I think it was disappointing to lose the series 5-0. Disappointing because we had opportunities to win a couple of games – at least we should have won the last game which we lost by 21 runs but its not like all is doom and doomed for us,” said Mangongo during the post-match conference at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday. “We have lost but we will put our heads up and move on and that’s cricket and that’s sport but we must always give credit where its due. Bangladesh were the better side and they played very well.”
“Our bowling department I think has put up some good performances – I am very proud of them. They bowled very well in all the five games. So yes, there is hope with few individuals, young Solomon Mire’s start of international career was truly outstanding. So we can built from there,” he said.
Mangongo, who is known to be a strict disciplinarian, added, “I must give credit to Bangladesh. They were resolute, they had the killer instinct, when they had us down they finished us. They executed their skills better and, yes, the better team won the series.”
“I think when I arrived for my first press conference I said the Tigers are formidable they are very good in their own jungle, they can beat any team, they have very good bowlers who execute very well. Their senior batters came to the party and they beat us. That is a fact and any given day they can beat anyone,” said the Zimbabwe coach.
