‘Surviving Powerplay’ the focus for Tigers

Bangladesh lost four of their top-order batsmen inside 10 overs during the first ODI at Napier and as they play the second ODI tomorrow in what is a must-win scenario, spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz reiterated that the team management discussed the matter of surviving the Powerplay in order to get a bigger score.

New Zealand pacers picked up seven wickets amongst themselves and the likes of Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das perished to fantastic deliveries while Soumya Sarkar got out to a rash shot. Mushfiqur Rahim, usually the calm one, got out dragging on a Trent Boult delivery onto his stumps. The new ball had movement and Bangladesh did not adjust accordingly.

"We have talked about it among ourselves. We could not cope up in the first 10 overs. We have to work on our Powerplay [batting]. If we can survive that then our score will be big," Mehedi said while talking to reporters today.

"It doesn't matter if we don't score too many runs in the first 10 overs. It would still be okay since in these conditions, the first 10 overs are really important," he added.

Bangladesh slumped to 94 for six and then 131 for seven before an eighth-wicket partnership between Mohammad Mithun and Mohammad Saifuddin helped them reach a moderate total. While they had slumped early, the runs were still coming, with Soumya getting quickfire runs, hitting the ball well during the Powerplay. If one of the top-order batsmen had survived for a longer period of time, the score would possibly have been bigger.

"We lost wickets early but the runs continued. So if we can put up a big score, it will make things easier for our bowlers. They can be more confident and bowl in the right areas. We still have the opportunity and will try to make a comeback in the next match," Mehedi opined.

"We have many players who are experienced at the international level. We have won against New Zealand at the Champions Trophy and before that in Ireland. If we have the belief then we can win.

"Series win is still possible. If we can win tomorrow then we will be alive in the series and I hope everyone is getting prepared," Mehedi concluded.