DHAKA – Bangladesh all-rounder Soumya Sarkar refused to give up the hopes of winning a match on New Zealand soil despite the side’s perpetual failure here in the limited over series.
The Tigers were swept in three-match ODI series and now are standing on the brink of tasting another whitewash in three-match T20 International series, following their 66-run and 28-run defeats in the first two matches.
After the five straight defeats in this series, Bangladesh losing-streak on New Zealand stretched to 31 (16 ODIS, 9 Tests and 6 T20Is). The stat showed how vulnerable they are here against the Kiwis.
But Soumya who gave Bangladesh a glimmer of hope to win the second T20 match, blasting a 27 ball-51 said, if they can put up a good performance in all departments, they still can win a match here, contrary to the popular belief.
“It is possible to win here,” he said in a recorded video message sent by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) today. “But the way we are playing… We are not consistent indeed. When we batted well, we bowled badly, fielded badly. If we can put up good performance in all three departments, we could have won a match. Here one match is still left and we are determined to come all guns blazing in all three departments.” He went on to saying: “In the last match, we fielded well even though there were little mistakes. We’ve to rectify the mistakes, we’ve to execute the plan well and if we can tick all the boxes, I’m sure we will be able to win.”
Bangladesh lost the second T20 by 28 runs through D/L method but not before the drama as they didn’t know what their revised target after New Zealand ended their innings of 173-5 in 17.5 following the interruption of rain for twice.
The Tigers were under impression that they need to chase 148 in 16 overs but nine balls later they came to know that the target was set 170. Later, it was revised again and the target stood 171 in 16 overs.
Soumya said the intent was positive despite the DLS confusion in the match. “We’re not aware of the target but the intent was positive,” Soumya said. “When I went to the field, I talked to umpire about the target and he said. I
started, eying that target that he informed me but when I struck four in the first ball I faced, I got the confidence to go on top of the bowlers.”
“There was earnest initiative to take the side to the winning position and the wicket was good. It could have been good, had we won the game,” he concluded.BSS
