A wake-up call before final: Mash
He regrets bowled out for a paltry 82
Sports Reporter
The way Bangladesh opened their Tri-nation campaign it was an obvious belief of the Tigers fans and its supporters at home and abroad, the home side will sweep into the final in emphatic vein. They all stunned to see Tigers shocking drubbing at home turf before the final showdown.
Like them, Bangladesh one-day captain Mashrafe in Mortaza also surprised the way they lost the match to Sri Lanka. He describes the loss as a worse one, stating that this will be for them a wake-up call, which demands stronger nerves on Saturdays summit clash.
We know Sri Lanka may beat us. But the way we lost the match none of us expect it today especially after three big wins, said Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.
Its tough to make comment and go into the details of this performance at the time of the series, Mashrafe told at his post-match conference.
Rather it deems to me that the way we played the last three games, we have to think in that vein. Weve to play positive. Probably, it was a good wake-up call for us before the final. Well now have stronger nerves in the final, he added.
Regretting for the paltry total, Mashrafe said that it would be different scenario if they could shift their focus on rebuilding the innings by the middle-order rather than looking for runs after losing early wickets.
The top order didnt complain it was a bad wicket. Since we had lost early wickets, the focus could have been on rebuilding the innings rather than looking for runs, the Tigers one-day captain said.
We had the ability to score 180-200 even after losing four early wickets. There was lack of application. We could have focused on our own performance and given a healthier look to our team total, he also said. The 32-year-old experienced bowler, who made the most winning record after regaining the charge of the Tigers, defers with the media question and said that he did not see any bit of complacence or over-confident mode among the players.
Even he defers with the question about wickets as he said Tamim got out to unexpected bounce. He was trying to defend the ball. Him and Shakib were feeling good on the wicket. It wasnt that bad. Mushfiqur was batting well today, without much support.
When asked about the absence of front-line bowlers-Shakib, Mustafiz-Rubel in the match, the captain flatly responded that he did not want to expose his main bowling battery twice against the Islanders before the final meet.
I didnt want to expose my main bowlers twice against them, he said, adding: I wanted to give Abul Hasan a long bowl. I wouldnt have brought Mustafizur to the attack had he not been on 49 wickets. It was his wish. I didnt use Rubel.
