After Taskin Ahmed registered his career-best figures in T20Is to make the difference in Bangladesh’s first match of the ongoing T20 World Cup.
The less experienced Hasan Mahmud also did well in the same match. Now, ahead of the second match of the event against South Africa, Bangladesh captain, Shakib Al Hasan said he is hoping the pacers will keep shining in the World Cup.
Bangladesh will take on South Africa on Thursday at 9 am (Bangladesh time). The Tigers will be hoping to make it two wins out of two at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground, against opponents who they beat earlier this year in their own backyard in an ODI series for the very first time.
“Taskin became a leader of our team,” Shakib said in the pre-match press conference. “After Mashrafe left the national team, Taskin has improved a lot in the last couple of years. We have a great pace-bowling attack in all three formats of the game. I hope they will continue to deliver the same in the World Cup.”
In the last match in Hobart, Bangladesh had to play under cold conditions, but in Sydney, they are going to get better weather. That might help the Tigers to perform in a better way as well.
In the last match in the same venue, New Zealand beat Australia after scoring a massive total of 200 runs. That indicated that the wicket of Sydney will be friendly for the batters, and winning the toss may play a big role. But Shakib didn't seem interested in the discussion of winning the toss or not.
Read: T20 World Cup 2022: Taskin shines as Bangladesh register first Super 12 win
“Toss is not in our hand,” Shakib replied to a question. “Since we are looking forward to winning this match, we have to play well no matter what we do first— be it bowling or batting.”
South Africa had to share points in their first match which ended with no result due to bad weather. Now, if they lose against Bangladesh, their chance to qualify for the next phase of the event will virtually be shrunk. Shakib says that this situation will inspire South Africa to play all-attack cricket.
Bangladesh captain believes the spinner will get the extra friendly environment at the surface of Sydney. It is clear from the captain's words that Bangladesh may go with an extra spinner in the next match. In that case, Yasir Ali might have to pave the way for Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Before this match, Bangladesh took on South Africa in seven T20Is and failed to win any of those matches. But this time, Bangladesh has a good chance, especially, after the win in the first match against the Netherlands, Tigers are pumped-up and confident to keep the winning-streak intact.