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Tigers ready to avoid whitewash against New Zealand

Face last Test tomorrow


Friday, 15 March 2019


Bangladesh began their preparations at Christchurch with an eye to seize their last opportunity to make an impression in the ongoing tour of New Zealand.
The hosts completed a whitewash in the three-match ODI series and followed it by sealing the Test series as well by winning the opening two matches of the three-match rubber, with the series concluding Test scheduled at Christchurch tomorrow (Saturday), report agencies.
While the hosts' pace bowlers gunned down their opponents with a barrage of short balls, it was not the case with the visitors as they failed largely due to their inability to bowl in the right areas. Still the new-look pace unit had managed to keep their heads up for a brief period in both the Test matches, troubling their opponents by their ability to get swing.
Mahmudullah Riyad, who is leading the side in absence of Shakib Al Hasan said, "They will probably have a fast wicket in Christchurch, so our batsmen have to be more responsible, particularly with three new bowlers in the side. I think it is the batsmen who should take more of the blame. We were bowled out twice inside two-and-a-half day."
But Mahmudullah also urged the bowlers to find ways to control the flow of boundaries. This was the first time that Bangladesh conceded 400-plus runs in an innings at more than five an over.
"If we had captured those chances, we could have given better momentum to the bowlers. It may have brought us a few more wickets. They were playing with seven batters and with the kind of help that the pitch produced for the bowlers " he said.