Everyone in the Bangladesh tent believes that the job has turned into a tough one after losing a great opportunity in Dhaka to pull off their first-ever one-day series victory against any major Test-playing nation.There is also little doubt that conditions were more suitable in Dhaka for the home side rather than in Chittagong where they are going to play the series-deciding third and final match against New Zealand at the Divisional Stadium here today. Even the brave Mashrafe Bin Mortaza has declared: "Here it's very difficult. Because the wicket is too flat and we have to give more than hundred percent to win this match and the series," the Tigers vice-captain explained yesterday."Definitely the batsmen will dominate in this condition, so there is no alternative for us other than batting our best.
It would not be easy for the pace bowlers like Mirpur but the spinners will get assistance in the latter stage, so winning the toss is important,” said the 'Narail Express', who claimed four wickets to lay the foundation of his side's seven-wicket victory in the series opener.There was, however, little encouraging factor for winning the toss as the toss-winning team -- none other than the home side -- lost thrice. Interestingly, the only team winning the toss and the match were also Bangladesh against minnows Scotland.
“Hope we can capitalise on the chances against Jacob Oram who made the difference in the last match but in my opinion, we have to make sure that (Brendon) McCullum and (Scott) Styris don't appear with their usual style. These two batsmen have the ability to take away the match from anybody," observed the pace spearhead.The equation, however, is very simple for Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful: "We bowled and fielded well in the first two games and we have to make sure that our all three departments click in tomorrow's match. The matter is very simple.""We need to play our best to win the series and I don't think it's impossible. There is a different wicket and the pitch will be good for batsmen.
The outfield is also fast, so we can hope for a good match," said a confident Ashraful, who got back among runs after a long lean patch."I think it's important that three top batsmen contribute something," he added.Coach Jamie Siddons said everybody were excited with the series-decider and confirmed that his guys were looking forward to this game. "Little bit disappointed for the other day, I thought it was a great opportunity to win the series in Dhaka. We have got another chance now. The series is one-all which is a great feeling. Coming here the people are excited and obviously the players are also excited and looking forward to it," Siddons said.
"But look at the age of the side, they are still very vulnerable under pressure. We got long ways to go. I think we are getting better. I am excited for tomorrow. If we can bat well, we can win," the Australian added. "The wicket will probably suit New Zealand batsmen more than Dhaka and also our batsmen should score freely. It will be a high scoring game for sure,” Siddons warned. The Bangladesh coach also hinted at little chance of breaking the team despite inclusion of opener Imrul Kayes in the 12-member side. In case he gets in, the axe will fall on either Mahmudullah Riyad or Shahadat Hossain.“Riyad is playing as a genuine all-rounder. But he has not got that much bowling and only had one hit so far and got run out.
I thought he was going alright the other day. Its good to have six options. Right-had spinners were under-utilised in the last game. I think we should use more off-spins against Oram.""We are also trying to figure out how Oram bats at this stage. I think the right-arm off-spinner is a good option against him. "Shahadat just had little bit of extra pace and he is pretty good at the end overs like in Australia where he got three wickets in an over. We hope that he can do that again. He is learning the slow ball which was a lot more effective in the last two games. We need to keep his confidence up. He is probably a key bowler for us at the end of the day.
"The slow seam bowlers did the job for New Zealand and also for us in the last two games. Rasel did well in the last game, but bowled only two overs in the first game. We need that back up," he said.