Mirpur, Jun 17: Bangladesh's ODI captain Mashrafe Mortaza is looking forward to the series against India and hopes that the youngsters in the team live up to the challenge and spring a surprise to upset the much-fancied two-time World Cup-winners India.
"It's always a big challenge to play against India. We have young players who are at their best and can surprise India in ODIs," said Mortaza in the pre-match press conference here on Wednesday ahead of the series opener.
There was a lot of concern about the Bangladesh captain's injury, which he suffered in a freak accident, and Mortaza sounded very optimistic on the status of his availability. "I'm feeling much better. I have bowled and batted yesterday. I am hoping to take the field tomorrow [Thursday]."
The first game in a three-match series is always important and right-arm bowler only reinstated that fact.
"We are thinking about tomorrow's game, [though we] Aren't thinking too far. We aren't taking pressure. We are moving step by step. Winning the first match is very important for us," the skipper reacted when asked about the team's thought process.
There is no doubt about the fact that India start as favourites and Mortaza felt winning against India will only enhance Bangladesh's growing ODI reputation: "Things have changed for Bangladesh cricket. But India are definitely the favourites. It's very important for Bangladesh to perform against the top teams to establish themselves," he reckoned.
India's World Cup win against Bangladesh in the quarter-finals did ignite a controversy over a no-ball but Mortaza says that is a thing of the past. "We always battle on the field. But I don't think any of the players are thinking about the World Cup controversy. I expect my players to forget about it."
Talking about Bangladesh cricket, it has certainly taken a step forward after their best showing (quarter-finals) in the World Cup and the 31-year-old thinks alike.
"We expect to take Bangladesh cricket forward. We have to take chances against India. World Cup performance has given us confidence. We have the bowling attack to unsettle any opposition. Since the World Cup, we are playing good cricket. The boys are very confident. Hope we will perform the way we are. Series win against Pakistan was a major boost," said Mortaza.
He further went on to add: "We are the fastest improving ODI side in the world right now. Bangladesh are definitely among the best in the world in ODIs."
Bangladesh medium-pacer Rubel Hossain gave Virat Kohli a real send off after dismissing him in the World Cup quarter-final. Kohli doesn't have a bad memory and fast bowlers love to rub salt into old wounds.
However, speaking about their on-field rivalry and the team combination, the Bangladesh captain said, "I am not thinking too much about Rubel and Kohli rivalry. It's better for us if Rubel gives his best. But overall our team has good players. We are still deliberating on our team combination," he said.
Rain has played spoilsport all throughout the series, and Mortaza was quick to point that. "We hope that rain stays away so that we can get a fair result," he concluded.
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