We will become a truly good team only when we also start winning away – Mashrafe Mortaza

The current Bangladesh squad boasts of some quality players who has the ability to change the complexion of the match within seconds and that is the reason why the limited overs team have managed to win series against Pakistan, India, South Africa and Afghanistan quite comfortably in the recent past. Despite their impressive home record, their stats away from home shows a rather sad story. In 165 matches they have played away from home, Bangladesh have managed to win only 38.

The only ODI series they have played overseas since the 2015 World Cup was the 3 match ODI series against New Zealand during December last year where they were whitewashed 3-0. But if everything goes according to plan for the Bnagla Tigers, they might soon set their record straight with a series victory in the Sri Lankan shores. After winning the opening ODI quite comfortably, it is a huge opportunity for the visitors to upstage the Sri Lankans in their own backyard.

“We will become a truly good team only when we also start winning away. We have won a Test match and an ODI here. So, the progress will not happen all at once. In away matches, for example, we had no clue about the Dambulla wicket – it was supposedly new. We played here a long time ago. So it is difficult to adjust to these things it will change slowly,” MashrafeMortaza was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz ahead of the decisive encounter in the SSC at Colombo.

“People have to understand that the world over away matches are always difficult. If you see recent Test matches, Australia are playing in India and all the teams who are playing in India, it is difficult for them. And when India visit other countries, it becomes difficult for them too. So when other teams come to Bangladesh we play well. This is the reality,” he further added.

Bangladesh was looking down the barrel in the 2^nd ODI at Dambulla before rain washed out the match and saved Bangladesh from the blushed. The hosts posted a competitive 311 on the board and looked set to level the series before rain came and destroyed their hopes. This means even if Bangladesh loses the final encounter they will still return from the island nation without losing a series.

“History has always changed. History is made to change. I think they batted really well. Credit should go to them. But from our point we were very confident because the wicket was really good. But as you said, history says that it is very difficult. But we knew that if there were good partnerships, it was gettable because of the wicket.Our boys have been really positive; that was nice to see from the dressing room.”

He wasn’t too impressed with his bowlers during the 2^nd ODI where they leaked runs and allowed the hosts to post a total over 300. “In the last match, they scored 300. Obviously the wicket was very good, but maybe we have to try to minimize 20-25 runs from that. Where they can score 300, we have to keep it to 280. So if we can do something like that the task will become easier for us. As I said, we have to play according to the plan, otherwise it will be difficult,” Mortaza concluded.