The Bangladesh team has been putting a mountain of runs on board in the first two matches of the three-match ODI series against Ireland in Sylhet.
Bangladesh broke their own record of the highest total by scoring 338 runs in the first match. In the next match, Tamim Iqbal’s team surpassed the record of the previous match by scoring 349 runs.
Tigers’ fast bowling coach Allan Donald told the reporters ahead of Thursday’s third ODI that 400 total is very much possible here.
“Yes, 400 is possible here. Definitely possible. We have to make those partnerships bigger, take the match deeper,” said Donald.
With almost everyone scoring at least one big score, the batters are having a great time. Towhid Hridoy played two easy innings of 92 and 49 in his debut series, Shakib Al Hasan scored a fine 93, the second game was abandoned, and Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto both scored 70. But Mushfiqur Rahim’s return to form is what the Bangladeshi fans are most happy to see.
After playing a vital cameo in the first game, the wicketkeeper-batter struck a record-breaking hundred in the second match batting in at number six.
The Tigers have been doing a lot of things correctly, Although the batters continue to struggle to stay in the game for longer periods of time.
“There are technical and tactical aspects that we can improve. The 70s and the 90s must be converted to 120s and take us 380 or 400. But we’ve got the belief now and the consistency as well. We are slowly but surely getting there. But it’s a long road ahead,”
The South African compared the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium wicket with his home turf.
“The wicket here is very much like the wicket of South Africa. Great bounce. And at night it is faster due to dew. A wicket ideal for great stroke play. The innings should be big if you settle down here,”
Meanwhile, Donald, who is also known as ‘White Lightning’ gave pacer Ebadot Hossain a new moniker as the pacer from Sylhet has been called ‘The Sylhet Rocket’.
In the most recent games against England and Ireland, Ebadot displayed lightning-quick pace. In the first ODI against Ireland, where his fastest delivery was 149 kph and he averaged 140+ in his 6.5-over spell, he took 4 wickets.
“You always feel that his (Ebadot) pace factor will have a massive impact on the game. He’s got a great engine on him. ‘The Sylhet Rocket’ is a great kid to work with,” Donald said.
