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Despite making it to the final of the tri-nation Twenty20 international series at home, Bangladesh are still seeking their perfect game, coach Russell Domingo said.
The hosts will lock horns in the final with Afghanistan, who had remained unbeaten against them in T20Is since 2014, before Bangladesh snapped that winning streak with a win on Friday. While that result will boost their confidence ahead of the big game, Domingo believes Bangladesh still have "certain areas" to improve on.
"We haven't played the perfect game yet," Domingo told reporters on Monday, 23 September. "We have been good in certain areas and average in certain areas. We are still trying to find the perfect game.
One of Domingo's major concerns ahead of the final is Bangladesh's tendency to lose too many wickets in the first half of their innings. Across four league games of the tri-series, they have lost 15 wickets within the first ten overs.
"We haven't got to the last five or six overs with only two or three wickets down," the coach said. "We lose too many wickets in the first ten overs. We have to get to the 15th over with two wickets down, maybe, so that we have a platform for the last five overs."
While slower bowlers like Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan have done well for Afghanistan, the Bangladesh bowling attack has thrived on pace this series. While Mohammad Saifuddin is the joint-highest wicket-taker, with seven wickets, Shafiul Islam has impressed with four wickets in just two games.
The strong performance from their seam bowlers, coupled with the greenish surface at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, might tempt Bangladesh to opt for four pacers in the final. Moreover, with Australia hosting the ICC Men's T20 World Cup next year, Domingo will have an eye on strengthening their fast-bowling core.
"I think we are going to add a fourth seamer to our 12 and make a decision tomorrow, looking at the wicket," Domingo said. "It is an area we can exploit if there's more pace and bounce. My thinking is where we are going to play the World Cup in a year's time. We are playing in Australia, and I can't see us playing one or two seamers there. We have to play at least three or four fast bowlers in Australia.
"Winning now is important but we also have to think of what is in the best interest of the team going forward. It is a fine line to balance it. It is always good to have a fast-bowling attack, but I understand the culture and the fact that the strength of the team lies in spin bowlers. I am trying to find the balance as a coach."
https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1356576
The hosts will lock horns in the final with Afghanistan, who had remained unbeaten against them in T20Is since 2014, before Bangladesh snapped that winning streak with a win on Friday. While that result will boost their confidence ahead of the big game, Domingo believes Bangladesh still have "certain areas" to improve on.
"We haven't played the perfect game yet," Domingo told reporters on Monday, 23 September. "We have been good in certain areas and average in certain areas. We are still trying to find the perfect game.
One of Domingo's major concerns ahead of the final is Bangladesh's tendency to lose too many wickets in the first half of their innings. Across four league games of the tri-series, they have lost 15 wickets within the first ten overs.
"We haven't got to the last five or six overs with only two or three wickets down," the coach said. "We lose too many wickets in the first ten overs. We have to get to the 15th over with two wickets down, maybe, so that we have a platform for the last five overs."
While slower bowlers like Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan have done well for Afghanistan, the Bangladesh bowling attack has thrived on pace this series. While Mohammad Saifuddin is the joint-highest wicket-taker, with seven wickets, Shafiul Islam has impressed with four wickets in just two games.
The strong performance from their seam bowlers, coupled with the greenish surface at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, might tempt Bangladesh to opt for four pacers in the final. Moreover, with Australia hosting the ICC Men's T20 World Cup next year, Domingo will have an eye on strengthening their fast-bowling core.
"I think we are going to add a fourth seamer to our 12 and make a decision tomorrow, looking at the wicket," Domingo said. "It is an area we can exploit if there's more pace and bounce. My thinking is where we are going to play the World Cup in a year's time. We are playing in Australia, and I can't see us playing one or two seamers there. We have to play at least three or four fast bowlers in Australia.
"Winning now is important but we also have to think of what is in the best interest of the team going forward. It is a fine line to balance it. It is always good to have a fast-bowling attack, but I understand the culture and the fact that the strength of the team lies in spin bowlers. I am trying to find the balance as a coach."
https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1356576
