Tigresses look to continue attacking approach to seal series

Bangladesh women are set to play against their Irish counterparts in the second ODI in Mirpur today, hoping to continue the improvement curve seen in their batting in the first ODI, to seal the three-match series.

Bangladesh batting coach Nasiruddin Faruque pointed out that Sharmin Akhter Supta's work with current men's national team's senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin had paid dividends in terms of improved mentality in batting approach following her attacking innings in the first ODI.

"Supta is very hardworking and her practice pattern was always good from before. She was under Salahuddin sir's guidance and what I was most impressed with was how she backed herself and her game, which shows her improvement in the mental side of things," Nasiruddin said during a press conference in Mirpur on Friday.

Bangladesh's batting had been suffering for a while. Supta's 89-ball 96 was a huge step in terms change in approach, especially as Bangladesh batting often get bogged down at the top. Nasiruddin said the Tigresses wanted to keep on improving their boundary hitting abilities in the remaining games, as he feels that is where the difference usually lies with the big sides.

Bangladesh posted their highest-ever Women's ODI score against Ireland in the first match, and Nasiruddin wanted the team to continue to back themselves in terms of hitting boundaries.

"In these kinds of wickets, it's normal to have a bigger dot-ball ratio. But looking at the 250-plus record, you will see that we hit 27 boundaries for the first time. When we play the big sides, their dot-ball ratio is pretty similar compared to us but where they create the difference is they hit more boundaries. Our boundary options have increased and hope in the next two matches we keep in the same vein," he said.

Ireland's main threat will come from their pacers and Nasiruddin said that the openers' role will be important.

"I think Ireland depends on the swinging deliveries. If we can handle that in the first 10-15 overs, since that's where our concern lies, it will be optimum. Our openers were outstanding," he said about Fargana Hoque and Murshida Khatun's 59-run stand, which laid the platform for a big score.