ICC World T20: Mashrafe Mortaza happy with Bangladesh's narrow win over Netherlands
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza is relieved to have opened their World Twenty20 campaign with a win against the Netherlands, after getting a scare.
Mashrafe, who believes there would have been no excuses had they lost the match, is keen to carry their confidence into the next match, reports bdnews24.com.
Bangadesh beat the Dutchmen by 8 runs in their first round opener of the World T20 in Dharmasala on Wednesday.
"The win was definitely important. No excuses would have been good enough if we had lost. We have won, that's what's important. Winning a match is always comforting, regardless of the opposition," Mashrafe said after the match on Wednesday.
Opener Tamim Iqbal played a brilliant knock before the bowlers helped Bangladesh to defend 153. Mashrafe was very pleased with their efforts.
"Tamim and the bowlers performed really well. The way Tamim batted was outstanding."
It has been almost a year since Bangladesh had last played in conditions outside their home turf.
Reaching Dharamsala two days before the opener, Bangladesh had only a day to prepare while injury concerns, difficulty in coping with the conditions and reading the wicket compounded their woes.
But Mashrafe and his men overcame all odds to prevail over the Netherlands.
"The situation today was much different from what we had thought it would be. We have been able to overcome that.
"We thought the wicket will be fast and bouncy. But it was slow. It was very difficult to play shots. I hope we will be able to play the next match with more confidence."
Bangladesh will take on Ireland on Friday.