Assistant coach Nic Pothas of Bangladesh stated that the team management is pleased to see the junior players assume leadership roles and expects them to continue the series against New Zealand with the same vigor they displayed in the opening Twenty20.
“We are taking pleasure in the challenge and witnessing the growth of these young individuals,” Pothas said in a video that the Bangladesh Cricket Board published on social media today.
The Tigers defeated the Kiwis by five wickets in Napier on Wednesday to earn their first Twenty20 victory against the hosts in New Zealand.
Mahedi Hasan’s all-around performance in that match stole the show, while pacer Shoriful Islam claimed three wickets and Liton Das contributed 42.
Friday in Mount Maunganui, Bangladesh will face the hosts in the second Twenty20 of the three-match series, giving them the opportunity to crown their first T20 series victory over the Kiwis in New Zealand.
However, Pothas did not wish to burden the team with thoughts of winning the series and instead urged the players to maintain the same strategy that assisted them in breaking their T20 jinx in New Zealand.
“We will communicate with the lads in the same manner that we have always done. At that moment, you can only win the ball that you are either confronting or delivering. “One must avoid gazing too far ahead,” advised Pothas.
“Achieving a higher number of balls won than the opposing team increases the likelihood of you winning the game, although this does not guarantee victory.”
“We shall be preoccupied with proceedings occurring in the present.” Furthermore, by performing our duties with excellence and maintaining a competitive edge, we greatly increase the likelihood of attaining a favorable result. However, let us not lose sight of the fact that this [New Zealand] squad is among the finest in the world.”