CHATTOGRAM, – Amid the disappointing performance since the ICC Cricket World Cup, Bangladesh is eyeing to seal the spot in Tri-nation T20 series final tomorrow (Wednesday) when they take on Zimbabwe in the return-leg match at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here.
Zimbabwe’s two defeats in a row in Dhaka part of the tournament basically kept the hosts in advantageous position to confirm their final berth with a match to go. If Bangladesh wins the match, Afghanistan, the other team of the tournament will also seal final alongside Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s win against Zimbabwe in tomorrow’s match also mean that Afghanistan’s two matches in Chattogram part will be game of just formalities.
Afghanistan who won two straight matches in Dhaka against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh will start their return leg match in Chattagong on Friday by taking on Zimbabwe.
But what would give Afghanistan an advantage is not the headache of Bangladesh who has been in a position of embarrassment following their 25-run loss to Rashid Khan’s side in Dhaka.
The magnitude of the defeat was such whopping that Bangladesh brought up wholesale changes to their squad for the third and fourth match of the series. Five players were included while four players were excluded from the previous squad that was announced for the first two matches.
Bangladesh earlier lost their one-off Test game to Afghanistan and Shakib Al Hasan, the captain of the side said that a Tri-series victory only could help them get the lost pride back.
So when they lost to Afghanistan in T20 also, the pride is at stake. But for the time being Shakib is eying to seal the spot in final.
“We have two matches left still in the tournament,” Shakib Al Hasan said. “Since Zimbabwe lost the first two matches, so to seal the final spot is tougher for them. I still believe that we have the capabilities to play the final.”
According to Shakib, Bangladesh is low at confidence at the moment. However he still urges the players to bring back their A game with pride at stake.
“We can’t play as a unit. Not one or two, we need most of the players to perform in the match. Otherwise it would be tough for us to make a turn around.”
Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by three wickets in the first game after lot of hardship. The two teams so far played 10 times with Bangladesh winning six games in contrast of Zimbabwe’s four.
But the Southern African nations had already proved that they are not a mere pushover.
When Bangladesh plotted a final spot, Zimbabwe all-rounder Sean Williams said they won’t leave the space without any fighting.
“It’s a must win game for us. If we do our basic things correct fielding and other few areas I think we will have a good chance to win the both games. We push both these teams to the last overs. Like I said if we can make better decision on the field frequently we have a very good chance to push in through,” Williams said here on Tuesday.
As Bangladesh has been in cornered state, Williams said they would try to capitalize it.
“Look, like I said we focus on what we need to do and everything will take care itself. They are under pressure we know that. Again, it goes to back to basics.”
