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Having scored some crucial runs in Bangladesh's pulsating win over Pakistan, skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza says coach Chandika Hathurusingha wanted him promoted in the batting order.
Published : 03 Mar 2016, 02:45 AM
The Tigers sealed a 5-wicket win at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday to secure their spot in Sunday’s final against India.
Bangladesh needed 26 off the last three overs with Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah in the middle.
Mohammad Mithun was the next bat. Live telecast showed the Sri Lankan coach speaking to Mashrafe in the viewing arena of the dressing room.
Mohammad Amir dismissed Shakib with the second ball of the over and in came Mashrafe.
Mashrafe revealed the conversation with his coach in the post-match press briefing.
"I was already padded up but Mithun was supposed to go in. Seeing Amir with the ball in hand, the coach said - 'if a wicket falls at the start, you will go in'."
"The coach hadn't even finished speaking when Shakib got out. I wasn't even wearing my helmet. I grabbed my helmet and walked in straight away."
Having reached the middle, Mashrafe turned the tables on Pakistan by smashing back-to-back boundaries to vindicate Hathurusingha's decision.
He explained, "The ball was reverse swinging a bit as Amir was bowling full then. The coach told me - 'you'll be able to play fuller deliveries well. Have a go if you can reach them'.
"I got the very first ball in my zone. The next one, I made connection by accident – I had a slice of luck."
