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Published : 16 Jul 2015, 04:35 AM
The 22-year old opener was named Man-of-the-Series for two successive match-winning knocks that propelled the Tigers to a historic series win on Wednesday.
Chasing 170 in a rain-marred match, Soumya blazed his way to a 75-ball 90 with 13 boundaries and a huge six as the hosts thumped the Proteas by nine wickets at Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury in Chittagong.
It came after his unbeaten 88 in a fabulous comeback for Bangladesh in the second but he again missed out on a century with his team on the cusp of watershed of cricketing history.
Letting a 10-wicket win slip away pained him more than missing out on his second ODI century, Soumya said in a press conference after the match.
“Playing well brings huge joy. I missed out on a century but that does not trouble me much but letting a 10-wicket slip through is very painful.
“A 10-wicket win would’ve been great for the team. It would have stayed on as a huge record forever.”
Soumya scored a century against Pakistan during the recent series sweep and he believes another one is just around the corner.
"Didn’t get a century today, but if God is with me I will get one in the next match or the one after that.”
Bangladesh waited a long time for an opening pair like Soumya and Tamim Iqbal. The duo has stitched up a century stand in each of the India, Pakistan and South Africa series.
They shared a huge 154-run stand that fired the team to the memorable win on Wednesday.
Soumya said with Tamim scoring at the other end the pressure eased and he could play his natural shots.
"If one plays shots, it benefits the other. If one gets two dot balls, he thinks his partner will cover for it.
"These thoughts help mental well-being and to be free on the wicket."
Tamim is considered the most explosive Bangladesh batsman. But he sometimes pales before Soumya’s aggression as the youngster often outdoes his senior partner in playing shots.
In Wednesday’s match Soumya tore apart the Proteas bowling to race to his half-century in 41 balls with nine boundaries while Tamim remained unbeaten on 61 off 77 balls.
The duo has gradually grown accustomed to sharing partnerships following their individual tactics.
“We were having discussion in the way we always do. When we enter the field our plans are different. He plans his way, I do it my way. We bat differently.”
The duo scored 102 against India after fashioning a 145-run stand against Pakistan.
The three century stands between them is the highest in the opening for Bangladesh.
