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Tigers leave for Sri Lanka without Mashrafe, Saifuddin

Tamim as interim captain


Bangladeshpost
Published : 20 Jul 2019 05:37 PM | Updated : 07 Sep 2020 10:59 PM

Talha Kamal

Bangladesh cricket team left for Sri Lanka on Saturday noon, to play three-match ODI series, starting from July 26. However, in an unexpected turn of events Tigers’ ODI skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and pace all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin were ruled out from the series after suffering injuries in hamstring and lower back respectively during team’s training session on Friday. This came as a huge blow for the Tigers.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) informed through a press release on Friday, that all-rounder Forhad Reza was named as Mashrafe's replacement whereas pacer Taskin Ahmed will fill Saifuddin’s void. Therefore, Tigers left the country without four key players in Mashrafe and Saifuddin; with ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and batsman Liton Das absent from the squad due to holidays. Stalwart opener Tamim Iqbal will now lead the team in Sri Lanka.

According to interim skipper Tamim, it will now be a challenging task to beat the Lankan Lions in their own soil. "The series is important for us. Some of our important players are missing this series. It's a big challenge for the guys who are in the squad," Tamim told reporters at the airport before the departure.

"It’ll be tough to face Sri Lanka at their home. They’re a strong side on the home soil. We have to play our best cricket to register a positive result," he added.

With Tamim at helm, it is now a new look Bangladesh. Farhad Reza, Taskin Ahmed has returned to the squad instead of Mashrafe and Saifuddin respectively. Earlier, instead of Shakib, Liton; Anamul Haque and Tajul Islam were selected in the team. Bangladesh will have to go the hard way to do well against Sri Lanka with new skipper and freshmen.

Tamim was also optimistic, saying the current roster is capable to throw a challenge and do well in Sri Lanka. “Since Sri Lanka will play in their home conditions, it is going to be difficult. However, in the previous series, we did well there. I do not see too much reason not to do better this time.”

Tamim was a lonely figure in this World Cup, with his dismal form. So, this series is a great opportunity for Tamim to return to his rhythm. However, with added responsibility of leadership, question raised whether he can cope with this pressure or not. Tamim seemed not to be worried with these and instead hoped to get a good experience. 

“I am not thinking so much about these. If we concentrate too much on the negatives, we will face such negative situations. We have to be positive and that is what I am trying to be as well. I have to be positive.” concluded Tamim.