Our chance for redemption, says Shakib

Shakib Al Hasan believes that Bangladesh still have the chance of redemption of some sort going into the T20 part of their long series in New Zealand. 

“The ODI series didn’t go according to our plan. We created some chances but could not grab those chances. It won’t be easy but we have a capable team who can do the job,” said the one-day and the T20I vice-captain of Bangladesh. 

“The important thing in the shorter version of the game is that you can’t lose the momentum. When we lost the momentum we could not get back the momentum in the ODIs and that’s what we needed. It’s very important especially in T20 games. If we get the momentum we need to make sure we keep on going with that,” added the all-rounder ahead of the first game in the small east-coast city of North Island. 

The Tigers lost the ODI series 3-0 despite creating chances in the last two games at Nelson. They now have an opportunity to learn from their mistakes and put up a fight against the Black Caps in the three-match T20 series with the first one at the Mclean Park on Tuesday.

But ahead of their opening game the Tigers were deprived of their only training session at Nelson Park, located in close vicinity to the main venue, due to rain. It rained in the morning, denying the Tigers of an outdoor training session. They could only do some stretching and a bit of batting indoors ahead of their first game in a format they are yet to make any mark. 

Bangladesh’s record against New Zealand is also very disappointing, as they have lost all their four games including the last one in the World T20 earlier this year badly. They also lost their only T20 game in New Zealand by ten wickets. The game at Seddon Park in Hamilton in 2010 still remains a nightmare for the Tigers as they were bowled out for 78. 

The home side raced to victory in just 8.7 overs with Brendon McCullum smashing an unbeaten 56 off 26-balls. 

“The last two times I came here we did not have a good memory. It’s not a very good memory either this time. But we have showed a lot of improvement in the ODIs and if we can bank on these things hopefully we will do well in the T20 series,” said Shakib, adding that they have no control over the weather. 

Although the sky was dark all day in Napier today, it might clear away by the time the day-night game starts tomorrow evening.