Tigers focusing on ODI comeback

Sports Desk:

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto said on Tuesday that they are not losing their sleep for their recent bad patch in the 50-over format and they want to make a comeback in their favourite format with the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.

The three-match ODI series is scheduled to get underway at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today.

The Tigers had a disappointing last year in their favourite 50-over format where they could win only 11 matches out of 32 games while they lost 18 matches and three one-day internationals ended without any result.

Tigers focusing on ODI comebackThe Tigers, who had high hopes of reaching the semifinal stage of the ICC World Cup 2023 in India, finished eighth after managing only two wins after they failed to reach the final of the Asia Cup as well.

“There is always a challenge before playing any international team. We have played well from 2015 to 2022. So you can perform badly in one year (2023). But we have to come back strongly as a team this year and we are prepared for that,” Najmul told reporters ahead of the series opener against Sri Lanka in Chattogram.

Najmul said that he is expecting something special from Soumya Sarkar as he is working to be more consistent.

Soumya returned to the ODI set-up during the tour of New Zealand last year and showed promise with a sparkling 169 runs in the second game of the series.

“He returned to the line-up after a long time in the last ODI series. He played three matches and in one of them, he played a big innings. Everyone requires consistency and it’s not something Soumya needs separately. Every batter needs improvement in this area and Soumya himself is working on it,” said Najmul, adding that the bowlers need to understand their roles better in a batting-friendly wicket that is expected to be offered at the ZACS during the ODI series.

“Of course, there will be challenges for the bowlers. In these kinds of wickets, it is important how they adjust to the wicket. Sometimes we say things like the bowlers aren’t doing well. But everyone needs to understand the conditions.

“I am not bothered about how many runs the bowlers are conceding individually. It’s important how they are faring as a bowling unit,” he concluded.