Bangladesh will try to build on their first ODI victory over New Zealand in New Zealand when they take on the hosts in the first of three T20I series at McLean Park in Napier today.
Despite losing the previous three-match ODI series 2-1, the Tigers ended an 18-match losing record in New Zealand with a crushing nine-wicket triumph in the last ODI. As a result, it’s no wonder that the Bangladesh camp is upbeat as they prepare for the T20I series.
“Certainly, it [the final ODI win] will help mentally because a good win always feels good.” “You’d want to repeat it, regardless of the format,” Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha said yesterday, adding that the Tigers will be hoping for their first victory in the format against New Zealand in their home stadium today.
Bangladesh have had a particularly good year in T20s so far, having won seven of the eight T20Is played this year, with the exception of three matches played by a second-string team at the Asian Games.
The Tigers will be anxious to commemorate their hardest test yet in the format this year with some good results, particularly because the three-match series will also be seen as the start of preparation for the next ICC T20 World Cup in June next year.
“In terms of matches, we have eleven matches between now and the [2024 T20] World Cup.” Whether the practice is perfect or not, that is all we have, and we must get our plans and duties in order within this time frame,” Hathurusingha remarked.
The new-look Bangladesh squad, which is missing a few veterans, will also need to get into a rhythm in T20Is, a format that has traditionally been difficult for the Tigers.
As part of the preparations for the forthcoming showpiece T20 tournament, team management, according to Hathurusingha, intends to put players to the test by allocating particular duties.
“We haven’t won a T20 here, and the same goes for the ODIs.” But we did win our last game. In terms of planning, the circumstances [in New Zealand] determine how we continue, so we must prepare accordingly. At the same time, we want to keep the T20 World Cup in mind as we make our arrangements. “We’re trying to get our combinations right and give the players roles that they’ll play in the World Cup,” Hathurusingha added.
The 55-year-old coach also claimed that the bulk of the present group is anticipated to compete in the World Cup. However, he also said that the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) would act as a platform for players to break into the national team next year.
“The selectors will always keep an eye on the BPL performances, and any in-form player or outstanding performance from someone will give them an advantage in getting selected.” At the same time, we know the type of play we want to pursue, which is based on our abilities. “We can’t play like other teams and try to imitate them,” Hathurusingha remarked.
The Sri Lankan also commended Najmul Hossain Shanto, who has thrived in the job since taking over in the absence of regular captain Shakib Al Hasan.
“His leadership and tactical captaincy have a lot of positives in my opinion.” I am extremely pleased with how he [Shanto] is handling himself and getting the most out of the players while also communicating clearly. Given the manner he controlled the bowling resources in such a circumstance and environment, the final game was really world-class.”