‘Hopefully seniors will step up in tomorrow’s game’

Usually, when it comes to Bangladesh cricket, it is the experienced campaigners who bail out the Tigers from a difficult situation in a game. 

However, in the first ODI against Afghanistan in Chattogram yesterday, when stars like Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad failed, it was youngsters like Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Afif Hossain who stepped up and helped Bangladesh stage an incredible fightback to win the contest.  

And newly appointed Bangladesh batting coach Jamie Siddons was delighted with how the youngsters came through during a difficult period. 

"There are some great talents here [in Bangladesh]. I love the way those boys [Miraz and Afif] played last night. And I am sure there are going to be many more innings from the young players in the coming days," said Siddons in a video message to the fans today. 

"Guys by the name of [Mehedi Hasan] Miraz and Afif [Hossain], two young boys in the team, had a 160-run partnership [174-run unbeaten partnership] and got us over the line with still 10-15 balls [seven balls] to spare. It was an amazing win to start a series. Hopefully, we will have an easier one tomorrow," added Siddons. 

The Australian, who served as the national team's head coach from 2007 to 2011, was also hopeful that the senior members of the side will also step up in the coming matches of the series. 

"I also hope that the senior players will definitely step up. The likes of Shakib [Al Hasan], Tamim [Iqbal], Mushfiqur [Rahim] and [Mahmudullah] Riyad will al step up at sometime in the series. They are stars here in Bangladesh and also stars at the international level. Hopefully, it's tomorrow [that they step up]," Siddons said.