Mahmud urges players to step up in absence of regular players

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DHAKA, July 23, 2019 (BSS)-Bangladesh interim head coach Khaled Mahmud Sujon urged the players who came into the side replacing some regular players like Shakib Al Hasan and others, to grab the opportunity with both hands.

According to Mahmud, the players like Anamul Haque Bijoy, Taijul Islam, Farhad Reza and Taskin Ahmed who replaced four regular players-Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin and regular ODI captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza are capable enough to show their mettle in big stages as they showed in the past.

He said this is the chance for them to again force their case stronger by playing some strong performance and thereby enrich the country’s cricket pipeline.

“Many of our players are not playing and I think it is opportunity for
those who will play in their places,” Mahmudu told the reporters in Colombo
on Monday.

He however believes the Lankans will be tough nut to crack at their home
den.

Bangladesh never experienced a victory in any bilateral ODI series in
Sri Lanka so far but this time around they came here to break the jinx.

Absence of regular four players may lessen Bangladesh’s strength but
Mahmudu believed with the kind of players they still can match with Lankans
strength.

“Of course, it is difficult. Playing against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka is
always tough and we know it very well,” Mahmud remarked.

“I think we are capable with the kind of strength we have. We hope to
maintain the discipline and process and it will make the task easy for us…
I think we will be prepared enough to play the first match.”

Bangladesh will play three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, which is
scheduled to be held on July 26, 28 and 31. All the matches will be taken
place at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.