Bangladesh eye to back into rhythm in Tigers’ favorite format
BCB
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Tamim Iqbal remarked that Bangladesh is not overthinking for the three-match series against the Afghan spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi, which is set to begin tomorrow (Wednesday) in Chattogram.
"Particularly I am not keen to talk about any particular bowler, but undoubtedly they are a quality bowling attack and one of the best spin bowling attack around. But we have done well against them especially in ODI format. There is no reason why we can't do it again as we just have to apply ourselves. What I feel is that rather than thinking about the opposition we have to think how we want to approach and what will be our plans,” Tamim said in the pre-match press conference.
"We are talking about three bowlers but they have to bowl 50 overs and the other two bowlers are also good so there is no point thinking only about the trio because any opposition we play we have to face quality bowlers. To be honest there is no pressure [facing the trio] and what I feel is that you come up with this question here and they are in discussion. I am not denying they are quality spinners but that does not imply we are only focused on them," he said.
Bangladesh is returning to the 50-over format after a seven-month absence, Tamim believes that getting back into the rhythm of an ODI is the most essential issue.
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"Certainly we are playing [ODIs] after a while, but everyone is excited because this is one of our favourite format. We have to do well here because we have got couple of ODIs this year that was not there because of T20 World Cup. We have done well against them in ODIs and to get back into the rhythm is the main thing and everyone is playing and having a good mental space," he said.
The captain almost confirmed that Shakib Al Hasan would keep his No. 3 berth, but that a decision on whether Mahmudul Hasan Joy or Yasir Ali would take the No. 5 spot remained to be made.
Joy’s inclusion in the middle order raised some questions, given that he was being groomed as a Test opener by the team management. Tamim, on the other hand, had a different viewpoint.
"We are having the same number three for last six ODIs but I agree that we are yet to fix the number five position. What I can say is that anyone who plays from Joy [Hasan] and Yasir will bat at five," Tamim said.
"When he [Joy] was picked as an opener in Test you said he is a middle-order batsman and now you are saying he is an opener. I think Joy batted in the middle order in 50-over format at number three or four so he is capable to bat in the top three as well as in the middle-order," Tamim added.
Bangladesh are currently in the second spot of the ICC Super League table and if the hosts win at least two matches, they’ll climb up to the top spot.
