Encouraged by its qualification to the World T20 main draw on Sunday night, Bangladesh captain >Mashrafe Mortaza has said his team will have to perform well against Pakistan to make a serious impact in the Super 10 stage.
After crossing the first hurdle by beating Netherlands and Oman in colder conditions here, Bangladesh was a relieved side. “Today we felt [we were] playing in England or Ireland. Doing well here was a concern (due to the climate),” said Mortaza.
Bangladesh, which joined India, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand, wanted to gain some momentum by winning its match against Pakistan in Kolkata on Wednesday. “In every tournament, the first game is very important. So, the match against Pakistan is important. If we can win that, it will be easier to go ahead,” said Mortaza.
“We are looking forward to the next four matches. We cannot make any mistake in the main draw. We have played fearless cricket...If you want to perform, you have to play fearless cricket.”
Good form
Mortaza patted opener >Tamim Iqbal on the back for his brilliant hundred, and hoped the ace batsman would perform well in future matches. “Thanks to Tamim. In the last three matches he has been scoring well. Hope his good form continues and others join him.”
Tamim, who scored 83 not out, 47 and 103 not out in the three qualifiers, also wished to carry on with his fine touch. “[We’ve] got a very important game in a couple of days’ time. I hope I can contribute for the team in that game also. If we can play to our potential, anything can happen.”
Speaking about his wild celebrations following his century against Oman, Tamim, the first from his country to get a Twenty20 international hundred, said, “I was too excited, so I did everything possible. [I] wanted to celebrate the hundred. Till the last moment I did not know I will get the hundred,” he said.
Comments
SHARE