Bangladesh look for big runs on green track against New Zealand in tri-series

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza thinks the pitch for their second game of the tri-nation series against New Zealand will be quite similar to the one used in the opener against Ireland.

Having served a suspension in the first game, the Tigers’ ODI captain is set for return for the tie at Dublin’s Clontarf Cricket Club ground on Wednesday. The match is set for a 3:45pm [BdST] start.

In the opener against the hosts on Friday, it was difficult to tell the difference between the field and the green pitch.

The,Irish seamers grabbed four Bangladesh wickets early in Malahide. But Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah Riyad played cautiously to turn things around before the game was washed out after just 31.1 overs.

Although their next match will be held in a different venue, the track may be akin to the first.

“We could hardly figure out which one the wicket was, such was the condition. The way Tamim and Riyad batted after losing some quick wickets, it reflects their experience,” Mashrafe said.

 “That’s how it should be. Losing quick wickets is natural in these conditions, but turning things around is what’s crucial.

“We are hoping the wicket [for the New Zealand game] will be similar. But if we can play ourselves into wickets like these, scoring 270-300 is quite possible. We are targeting something like that.”

Towards the beginning of this year, Bangladesh returned from New Zealand with defeats in all their limited-overs games. Mashrafe suffered a broken finger in the series.

The memories of the tour may still vivid in their memories, but Mashrafe keeps his poise before taking on the Black Caps away from home once again.

“Of course, we are confident. I believe, my team believe, a good team can do well anywhere. The condition is a huge factor. Still we have faith in our abilities. With the skills of those in our top order or the bowlers we have, I hope something good will happen.”

New Zealand, however, will be without some of their key players in this series. Captain Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Colin de Grandhomme, Corey Anderson are all in India at the moment for their IPL stint.

But Mashrafe thinks their absence does not make Bangladesh’s task too easy.

“New Zealand are definitely a good team, a professional team. They are also ranked among the top teams.

“They may be without some of their top players, but most of those who played in our last series against them are there. Ross Taylor wasn’t there, he is now.”