Backing players key to fearless cricket, says Bashar

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) selector Habibul Bashar put the onus on backing players despite their poor form as he emphasized on the importance for Bangladesh to play a fearless brand of cricket, with two major tournaments upcoming.

Bashar tried to put out that the Tigers have transitioned their playing style into a more proactive approach which has been reflected in their performances of late.

"Our goal is clear about the cricket we are trying to play. You can see that our style of play has changed. Fearless cricket, we said we wanted to play, we've been playing it in the last two to three series. This you can see in our performances," Bashar told reporters in Mirpur yesterday.

Despite a recent good run, one of the main concerns for the Tigers leading up to the Asia Cup is the opening slot.

Opener Tamim Iqbal's absence has provided an opportunity to newcomer Tanzid Hasan Tamim and a struggling Mohammad Naim who, despite becoming the highest run-getter in this year's Dhaka Premier League, is still yet to come to terms with international cricket.

To add to head coach Chandika Hathurusingha's headache is ODI vice-captain Liton Das' form across formats. The right-handed batter had a 2022 to remember as he was amongst the highest run-getters across the three formats but has failed to live up to his standards the year after.

In the 12 innings he has batted so far in ODIs in the year, the 28-year-old has managed three fifties with an average of 30.1 -- a stark decline from his ODI average, 52.45 in 13 outings, in 2022.

Despite the unsettled status of the opening slot, Bashar believes that Liton and Naim possess the ability to overcome their slump.

"You have to back the cricketers if you want to play fearless cricket, because the main mantra in this type of cricket is that you play positive cricket. If you don't score runs in one or two matches, your team will back you. Giving that confidence is very important.

"Liton Das is a class cricketer, a big one. I would want and I know for sure that he will overcome this off form in due time. Cricketers go through this at times; go through a bad patch after a prolific one.

"Naim Sheikh is an experienced cricketer. He has played before and has come back after a long time. It is important to give someone, who has come back after a gap, some time. There is no doubt about their skill. Everyone is a skilful player. I believe there is the possibility that they can play well on the big stage."

While Tanzid awaits his debut, Naim, who has played only four ODIs after making his debut in March 2020, is yet to experience the feeling of reaching double figures in an innings in the 50-over format for the Tigers. The 23-year-old played the last two ODIs against Afghanistan at home in July, after Tamim Iqbal stepped away, only to register scores of nine and nought.

However improbable, the Tigers might consider using two other options at the top of the order: Najmul Hossain Shanto has regularly opened in T20Is while T20 captain Shakib Al Hasan, now at the helm in all three formats, has recently used Afif Hossain in the role as well.