Last chance of redemption for Tigers

Stand-in skipper Mahmudullah on Saturday said that Bangladesh would be looking forward to take a last chance for redemption in the second and final Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka in Sylhet today. 
Before Sri Lanka’s arriving in Bangladesh for over-a-month long tour the hosts were certainly in the position to call them favourites and were expected to win everything against a declining opposition. 
Things started very positively for the Tigers as they won three consecutive matches in the tri-series but lost their way since, eventually losing the tri-series final as well 1-0 defeat in Test series. 
The injury issues of key players like Sakib al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal gave Bangladesh an excuse for their subpar show but that did not hide their poor efforts, especially with bat in last two tri-series matches and series deciding second Test match.
An inexperienced Bangladesh side, meanwhile, paid the price for their poor bowling in the first Twenty20 international of the series, where Sri Lanka knocked down a record score with six wickets and 20 balls in hands.
Mahmudullah said that they were trying to motivate themselves to ensure 
that they at least finish the last match of the series with a win.
‘We didn’t get expected results in the tri-nation and the Test series. Our bowlers didn’t execute the plans in the first T20,’ Mahmudullah told reporters at Sylhet, which will host Bangladesh for the first time. 
‘We still have the pride to play in the last game. 
We are trying to get motivated enough to draw the T20 series.
‘It has come from within. When you are representing your team and country, there can’t be anything more to motivate yourself,’ he added.
Despite Bangladesh’s first Twenty20 defeat against the Islanders, some of the young-bloods who made the international debut provided some meaningful contributions.
Left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam was the top-performer finishing with 2-25 in his full spell while Zakir Hasan, Afif Hossain and Ariful Haque showed a glimpses of their talent.
Mahmudullah defended the newcomers’ performances and hoped they would be assets for the Tigers one day.
 ‘It is not that easy to do well in international cricket straightaway. They have the potential.
‘It wouldn’t be fair on them if I make a comment. They have a lot to give to Bangladesh which is why they have already been called up,’ he added.
The 32-year old experienced campaigner, who made 43 off 31 deliveries in his first match as a skipper, expected another experienced player Tamim Iqbal to play in the crucial encounter.
Tamim hurt his left bicep during a training session in Dhaka and was unable to play in the first Twenty20 and while his absence, youngster Zakir played significant role with Soumya Sarkar to give the Tigers a good start.
‘He [Tamim] is a lot better, and he is likely to play.
Mahmudullah also claimed that if they performed well as expected in the entire series, they could have overlooked Chandika Hathurusinghe fact which they couldn’t resist at this moment. 
‘He was with us recently. He knows pretty much everything about us. He definitely used that information. He is a quality coach, and he has the capability.
‘But if we had done our job properly, we would have been winning and we wouldn’t have had to talk about this. It was upon us to do something good so we remain hopeful about the last match,’ he added.


News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net