The Bangladesh T20 World Cup side had an optional practice session at Allan Border Field, Brisbane, where Tigers’ batting coach Jamie Siddons was working with the tail enders as he said that the team wants effective contribution from bowlers in batting when needed.
Bangladesh will play two warm-up games against Afghanistan and South Africa on October 17 and 19 respectively before starting their campaign in Hobart on October 24.
“I worked with them (bowlers) in separate nets. Target batting was done, yorker and slow bowling skills were worked on. Just like the batsmen, who do throw down, under arm, they did the same. They had a long flight last night, so didn't want to do too much work," Siddons said after the practice session on Sunday.
"They haven't had a chance to do much in recent times, as the top order has done well till 10 overs. We have to work with them because at some stage we will need their batting" he added.
Among the main batters, Soumya Sarkar did serious net session under Bangladesh Technical Consultant Sridharan Sriram’s instruction.
Left-handed batter Soumya and left-arm paceman Shoriful Islam, originally on the standby list, have been selected in the T20 World Cup squad.
They have replaced batsman Sabbir Rahman and all-rounder Saifuddin who had been named earlier in the 15-man team which was announced on September 14.
After Soumya's inclusion, Bangladesh's potential opening pair is perhaps the most intriguing now. The tri-series in New Zealand has featured four opening pairs in four matches. Two official warm-up matches for the World Cup will decide the final XI. Siddons said that the possible picture of the batting combination of the World Cup XI will be clear in these two matches.
“Our team has not won many T20s, trying to pick the best combination and the best batting order. We are very close (to finalizing the batting order). We are very close now (to fix the batting order). I think we are in right track. It's time for someone to step up and score big" the Australian said.
