Tigers return home without hunt
Monday, 7 July 2008
Bangladesh cricket team returned home Sunday by Thai Airways after a disappointing performance in the Asia Cup in Pakistan, reports UNB.
Bangladesh, which made a flying start in the tournament with a 96-run win over group opponent United Arab Emirates (UAE), had a sad ending. They were outplayed by 10 wickets in the last super-four match against Pakistan Friday.
Talking to the reporters at the Zia International Airport, skipper Mohammad Ashraful said, "We played well in the first four matches, but in the last match we played really bad. On such a batting wicket (Karachi), 115/10 was a bad batting performance against the hosts (Pakistan)."
He, however, praised highly the performances of Rokibul Hassan and Alok Kapali saying, "In batting, Rokibul did really well in the first four matches. Kapali also made a good come back in international cricket scoring a fine century against India."
Replying to a query, the ace batsman admitted that there were some lapses in the team's fielding as well, as "we were not able to give our best in fielding."
Asked about their next assignment in Australia, the Bangladesh captain said they have enough time to prepare for the Australia tour. "We'll have enough time to practice, and we will try hard, work hard," he said. "Besides, some of our players will accompany the (Bangladesh) A team in England, which will definitely help us," he added.
About his own performance, Ashraful said he still needs to improve.
Asked why opener Shahriar Nafees did not get a chance, he said it was the decision of the team management. "We tried a new opener (Nazimuddin) and he played well in the match against Sri Lanka."
Coach Jamie Siddons evaluated the team's performance in the Asia Cup saying, "Apart from that last game (Pakistan), we showed signs of improvement. We scored 283 against India and creating chance of winning that game is a thing that we learn to play against bigger sides."
Asked about the positive sides from the meet, the Australian coach of Bangladesh said, "Last month we made our two best scores against UAE and India. Ashraful makes a hundred and the emergence of Rokibul -- something positive is out there. That is where we are improving and you can't deny that."
He added: "We've some international standard cricketers in our team. Like Rokibul, we found one. If we win one or two matches in a year it will not make public happy. Let us hope to get consistent performance from individuals."
On Ashraful's performance, the 43-year old coach said Ashraful needs to be more consistent. "He (Ashraful) is one of the major concerns of the team. He made only 14 half centuries in 125 matches and Ashraful knows he has to get better. He made a good start against UAE, but couldn't finish it off in the following matches."
Siddons told a questioner that the last match of the Asia Cup was a negative side for Bangladesh.
After making their super four berth winning the first match against UAE, Bangladesh suffered a 131-run defeat to Sri Lanka in the group stage.
Then in the super four, the Tigers were handed a seven-wicket defeat by India, a humiliating 158-run defeat by Sri Lanka and lastly a 10-wicket defeat by hosts Pakistan, who, however, could not make it to the final.
Bangladesh, which made a flying start in the tournament with a 96-run win over group opponent United Arab Emirates (UAE), had a sad ending. They were outplayed by 10 wickets in the last super-four match against Pakistan Friday.
Talking to the reporters at the Zia International Airport, skipper Mohammad Ashraful said, "We played well in the first four matches, but in the last match we played really bad. On such a batting wicket (Karachi), 115/10 was a bad batting performance against the hosts (Pakistan)."
He, however, praised highly the performances of Rokibul Hassan and Alok Kapali saying, "In batting, Rokibul did really well in the first four matches. Kapali also made a good come back in international cricket scoring a fine century against India."
Replying to a query, the ace batsman admitted that there were some lapses in the team's fielding as well, as "we were not able to give our best in fielding."
Asked about their next assignment in Australia, the Bangladesh captain said they have enough time to prepare for the Australia tour. "We'll have enough time to practice, and we will try hard, work hard," he said. "Besides, some of our players will accompany the (Bangladesh) A team in England, which will definitely help us," he added.
About his own performance, Ashraful said he still needs to improve.
Asked why opener Shahriar Nafees did not get a chance, he said it was the decision of the team management. "We tried a new opener (Nazimuddin) and he played well in the match against Sri Lanka."
Coach Jamie Siddons evaluated the team's performance in the Asia Cup saying, "Apart from that last game (Pakistan), we showed signs of improvement. We scored 283 against India and creating chance of winning that game is a thing that we learn to play against bigger sides."
Asked about the positive sides from the meet, the Australian coach of Bangladesh said, "Last month we made our two best scores against UAE and India. Ashraful makes a hundred and the emergence of Rokibul -- something positive is out there. That is where we are improving and you can't deny that."
He added: "We've some international standard cricketers in our team. Like Rokibul, we found one. If we win one or two matches in a year it will not make public happy. Let us hope to get consistent performance from individuals."
On Ashraful's performance, the 43-year old coach said Ashraful needs to be more consistent. "He (Ashraful) is one of the major concerns of the team. He made only 14 half centuries in 125 matches and Ashraful knows he has to get better. He made a good start against UAE, but couldn't finish it off in the following matches."
Siddons told a questioner that the last match of the Asia Cup was a negative side for Bangladesh.
After making their super four berth winning the first match against UAE, Bangladesh suffered a 131-run defeat to Sri Lanka in the group stage.
Then in the super four, the Tigers were handed a seven-wicket defeat by India, a humiliating 158-run defeat by Sri Lanka and lastly a 10-wicket defeat by hosts Pakistan, who, however, could not make it to the final.