NEWS
Follow UsBangladesh pulled off a memorable single-wicket win over India in the first ODI while chasing a lowly 187, thanks to a record 51-run partnership for the final wicket between Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mustafizur Rahman.
They managed to do that after going from 128/4 to 136/9, which is a commendable thing, but head coach Russell Domingo doesn't want a repeat of it in the second match on Wednesday.
Domingo felt that his team was fortunate enough to take a 1-0 series lead, but is expecting a strong Indian response.
"There is confidence in this format. Our record in Bangladesh is very good. There's a sense of excitement to play against India, who are one of the big teams in the world. There's also a sense that India will come back strong. We have to play better cricket than the first game, particularly with the bat. We can't get away with it again," Domingo told reporters ahead of the game.
"By far not the perfect performance. There's lot of work still to be done. But, to be able to win from that situation, says a lot about the team's character," he said about the first match.
On a tricky pitch which had bounce and turn, senior batters Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim were unable to convert their starts into winning scores. Domingo specified that he is fully confident of Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur to come good.
"Firstly, I am going to defend my players. In the last two games in Zimbabwe, Mahmudullah got 80 and 39. I am very reluctant to say that (looking for replacements). Both players have times in their career when they are searching for runs," he said.
"It was one ODI ago that he (Mahmudullah) got 80. I have no concerns with him at the moment. All players go through these phases in the older phase of their careers. I still have a lot of faith in his ability and batting," he added.
Bangladesh are without injured skipper Tamim Iqbal as they opened with Anamul Haque and Najmul Hossain Shanto, who was out for a first-ball duck. Domingo was confident that the lefthander will put in a good performance soon.
"I like the left-right opening combination (of Shanto and Anamul). He (Shanto) seems to be finding his way in white-ball cricket. He got two fifties in the T20 World Cup. Shanto needs to perform more consistently, but he has also played on some tricky surfaces. You have to be patient with some players. Twelve ODIs is not that many games. He is playing against high quality teams in tough conditions," he said.
Bangladesh didn't miss their lead pacer Taskin Ahmed in the first match as Ebadot Hossain returned figures of 4-47. Domingo revealed they are not ready to risk playing Taskin who is suffering with back issues.
"Taskin had an injection about three or four days ago and he has done a bit of gym yesterday and had a bit of a bowl today for five six overs. I'm not sure we want to risk playing him yet," he said.
India and Bangladesh will return to the Shere Bangla National Stadium for the second match on Wednesday (November 7).
