Mashrafes call to play fearless cricket
Tigers captain doesnt want to undermine SL
Sports Reporter
Bangladesh refused to feel complacent despite Sri Lankas poor international run, something which was further deepened by the 12-run loss to so-called minnows Zimbabwe in their tri-nation series opener.
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza-led side rather showed an utmost respect to the Lankan side, considering they are bolstered by some of the genuine match winners who are able to stage a memorable comeback on their given day.
They have some senior players who can turn the match at any moment, said Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza. There is Upul Tharanga who is a senior player and played some good knocks against us. Kusal Perera also hit a couple of centuries against us. Chandimal has been there for a long time. So there is no scope to be complacent.
In addition Sri Lanka are also bolstered by the finisher like Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera. The formers injury news however came as a blessing for Bangladesh but Mashrafe said still there is no chance to take Sri Lanka lightly.
Mathews certainly could be the great all-rounder of the world unless the injury hampered his career. And we know what Thisara Perera could do. But even if Mathews doesnt play, we shouldnt take them lightly.
Even though Bangladesh have overall a poor record against Sri Lankafive wins, contrary to losing 34 with two matches produced no result, the recent performance against the Lankans, culminated to the Lankas poor international form made the hosts outright favourite. They are favourite still, knowing the fact that Sri Lankas incumbent coach Chandika Hathurusingha could read Bangladesh well because of his vast knowledge on the players.
And there is another thingHathurusinghas presence in the opponents dressing room, could make an impact on the playerspositively or negatively. Mashrafe dismissed the notion, saying that every match is challenging regardless of the condition and other facts.
Challenge is everywhere. You cant get free. But honestly speaking, Chandika matter doesnt have any impact on us. What is on the back of the mind is that we have to win the game. Yes he knows about us but when an era of a coach ended, his method also ended actually, Mashrafe remarked.
There is nothing like that we will give Hathurusingha a surprise. We are here to win the game, to win the trophy. Thats the goal. We are playing for fulfilling our target. We are not here to show off.
Mashrafe however said that his senior players would take the onus if they want to win the game.
We have some senior players like Shakib, Tamim, Mushfiqur, Mahmudullah who know their role well. If our top order gives a good start, we can cash in on it. If they fail, the task would be difficult. But I know everyone is positive and know what they would have to do.
They will click definitely if they dont have the bad day. Now we are concerned about the six, seven or eight position. After the senior players, it is the duty to the batsmen of those positions to come all guns blazing. There are players like Sabbir, Nasir, Mehidy Hasan Miraj, Saifuddin who are preparing to take the roles. They would have to be match winners like those senior players.
Mashrafe however concluded, reminding that fact that they would have to continue the fearless brand of cricket what they showed in the first match against Zimbabwe.
We have to play that match what we played against Zimbabwe. Shakib gave early breakthroughs to resist Zimbabwe from making a big score. You saw last night that how Masakadza and Solomon Mire destroyed Sri Lanka. However then Tamim played a knock ,that was expected on him. Mushfiqur was not out. Everything was going according to plan. We have to continue that brand of cricket, that we call fearless cricket.
