Bangladesh skipper Mashrafee bin Murtaza declared himself ready to take the field as the Tigers face Zimbabwe in the opening match of the three-match one-day international series in Mirpur today.
Mashrafee, who recently recovered from a debilitating dengue fever, was uncertain of playing the opening game as he did not play any competitive cricket since the series against South Africa in July.
He returned to the field with Thursday’s warm-up game at Fatullah and bowled seven overs in two spells, though he never looked anywhere near to his best.
It raised some doubt over his availability for the first game, but speaking to his pre-match press conference on Friday Mashrafee said he will play even if he is not 100 per cent fit yet.
‘I fielded for 35 overs yesterday. It would have been good to be able to field throughout the match but actually it’s difficult to take pressure right from the first match,’ said Mashrafee.
‘Overall, I pressurised myself to play. I had to force myself, there was no other option. Although I am not feeling as I normally do before a match, but I still feel capable.
‘Definitely, I am still not 100 per cent fit. It would be good if I could train more or recover more. Whenever I play for Bangladesh I feel that I can play, I take that risk. I am hopeful to survive,’ he said.
Mashrafee could be joined by Mustafizur Rahman and uncapped Kamrul Islam in the three-man pace attack as Bangladesh decided to combine pace and spin unlike the most recent matches.
Bangladesh fielded four pacers against India and South Africa, but the injury of Rubel Hossain and Taskin Ahmed prompted the Tigers to rethink their strategy.
Zimbabwe’s perennial weakness against spin bowling also helped the Tigers to mix their attack with pace and spin.
‘Both the aspects [team’s strength and opponent’s weakness] are very important,’ said Mashrafee. ‘You have to know your opponents’ weakness and at the same time you have to work on your strengths because that’s what has made you win matches,’ said Mashrafee.
‘So I feel we need to combine the both. At this point of time I feel that its important to work based on their weakness and the wicket is also an issue along with that,’ said Mashrafee.
Source: New Age
