Still need to play better cricket tomorrow, says Domingo

Despite the outstanding four-wicket win over Afghanistan in the first ODI yesterday, Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo has no room for complacency as he reckons there is still a lot to improve for the hosts in all the departments ahead of the second match tomorrow. 

Chasing the target of 216 runs, Bangladesh were on the brink of disaster on 45 for six but Afif Hossain and Mehedi Hasan Miraz played their career-best ODI knocks and helped the Tigers to a memorable win. 

"We got to play better as I think we bowled 13 wides yesterday, we dropped a catch and we were 45 for six. So we need a massive improvement from yesterday's performance in every department," Domingo told the media today.

"We had one fantastic partnership but we still need to play better cricket tomorrow than we did yesterday," Domingo added.

According to the 47-year-old, there was a sense of belief in the dressing room even when the hosts were losing wickets one after another. The South African said he was proud of how the youngsters dealt with pressure situations. 

"When Miraz walked out to bat, I said to Srinivas that these two [Afif and Miraz] can put up a 150-run partnership and then he jokingly replied that 'we still gonna need another 15 runs with Taskin, Ebadot and Shoriful to bat'.

"Look, I think there is a lot of confidence in Miraz's batting at the moment. He's got a Test hundred and had a fantastic time in the BPL. I know it sounds stupid to believe but there was still a belief we could do it because I thought the wicket was good to bat on and the run rate was not out of reach.

Domingo heaped praises on Afif, who remained unbeaten on 93 off 111 balls, striking eleven fours and a six after coming in at number seven. The young left-hander showed great composure to play the role of a finisher. 

"I know how good Afif can bat and have seen him doing it before, particularly in T20 cricket. He is a fantastic player and going to be one of the best white-ball players for Bangladesh. It was very pleasing to see how he batted and I was very proud of that partnership," Domingo said.

The question was there regarding whether the team management might be thinking of promoting Afif up at the batting order. Domingo, however, said that the current number seven position is apt for the youngster. 

"Not now. I think while we have got a wicketkeeper in the top order and we have got a front line spinner in the top order. I think number seven is perfect for him, the way he finishes the game and he's got options in the death overs.

"He still has a lot of work to do with the new ball. He knows that. At the moment that position [number seven] is perfectly suited for his style of play. So, no desire to move him up in the immediate future," concluded the head coach.