Bangladesh completed an eight-wicket victory over the Windies in the last of the three one-day internationals on Friday, 14 December, to clinch the series 2-1 at the Sylhet International Stadium.
Mashrafe Mortaza, the Bangladesh skipper, was delighted with the way his team bounced back from the loss in the second ODI, and said they were a “more balanced side” now.
“Winning eight out of 12 ODI series makes it clear that we have progressed, and we are playing with confidence,” said Mortaza. “We have the New Zealand series coming up. It is an important series for us since we lost to them last year. I think we have a more balanced side, and we hope to do well there.”
Bangladesh opted to field and had a fine day out, their bowlers restricting the Windies to 198/9. Then, Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar, at No.3, scored 81 and 80 respectively to power the chase.
“Combination is important for a team,” said Mortaza. “Not that we always get it right, but the execution is more important. The bowlers executed their plans today. Winning the toss was vital too, but the bowlers did the work for the batsmen. Soumya is ideal for No.3 and he delivered. It is all about execution and holding your nerve.”
As for the future of his own career, which has been ridden with injuries, the 35-year-old said he would keep that decision till after Bangladesh’s last match at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019.
“Since 2011, I have always felt this way before a game, that ‘what if I get another knee injury, and this will be my last game?’,” Mortaza said. “To be honest, I’ve never deeply thought about it [retirement]. There are challenges ahead and I want to be more prepared to face those. What I will do after the World Cup, I will decide after the [team’s] last match in the World Cup.”
