Mashrafe Mortaza urges Bangladeshi batsmen to perform better, hopes Mustafizur's injury is not serious
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza sees a room for improvement in his team's batting.
Bangladesh convincingly beat Zimbabwe by 42 runs in the second Twenty20 International to take a 2-0 lead in the four-match series at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium on Sunday. They next play the African team on Wednesday, reports bdnews24.com.
Although Mashrafe was pleased with his team's improvement from the last match, he was far from satisfied by the manner of the victory.
"(The win) was definitely better than that of the first match. We did well as a bowling unit. The batting wasn't bad either. Some batsmen got themselves out after getting set, or else the score would have been bigger," Mashrafe said.
"These things need to be fixed because bigger challenges lie ahead. If someone gets to 30-40, he must play a bigger innings."
Sabbir Rahman, however, stood out by scoring an unbeaten 43 before taking 3/11. "He (Sabbir) has been doing well all the time. He is in good touch."
But Mashrafe highlighted the other aspect of the leg-spinning all-rounder.
"I've asked him to focus a bit on his bowling. When a batsman has the ability to bowl, it is always an advantage, not only for the player but also for the team.
“He is up to the mark as a batsman. He has been bowling well too. It would be great for the team if he can keep it up," he concluded.
Mustafizur Rahman’s injury
Mortaza is a bit worried about Mustafizur Rahman’s injury but believes it’s nothing serious.
The left-arm pacer felt discomfort in his left shoulder before he was to bowl the last ball of the innings against Zimbabwe in the second Twenty20 International here on Sunday, reports bdnews24.com.
Having watched Mustafizur clutching on to the shoulder with his other hand, Tamim Iqbal ran up to the 20-year-old and advised him to leave the field immediately.
“The injuries are old for him — both the shoulder strain and the elbow injury. So we didn’t take any chances though he had just a ball remaining. We wanted to get him treated as soon as possible,” Mashrafe said.
“Although the matter is of concern at the moment, usually nothing serious happens from these injuries. I hope it really isn’t and that he recovers.”
Bangladesh lead the four-match Twenty20 International series 2-0 with the third match to be played here on Wednesday.