PHOTO: FIROZ AHMED

SPORTS REPORTER

In drizzly conditions, Anamul Haque Bijoy came barefooted to the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium turf yesterday afternoon to get a feel of the wicket before the first of three ODIs between Bangladesh and New Zealand, slated to begin today. The weather conditions hindered Bangladesh’s practice sessions before the start of the series but, like Anamul, many would look to make their mark.

Ahead of the World Cup, this series provides the perfect platform for a few players to return to some form. One of them is Liton Das, who will be captaining the ODI side for the third time over the course of the previous five series.

“When I was given the responsibility of captaining the side, my first objective was to win matches,” Liton said at the press conference yesterday.

Liton, captaining the side in absence of regular skipper and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, reckons that performing as a batch, with one or two highlight performances, is the way forward for his side.

The pressure ahead of the series is minimal with both teams resting key players. From Bangladesh’s perspective, though, the opening slot would see competition as apart from Liton, who said he was looking to get back into form, there are Tanzid Hasan, Anamul, Soumya Sarkar and Tamim Iqbal available.

Meanwhile, Mahmudullah Riyad and Tamim Iqbal’s return are the biggest focus going into the series. The former had been dropped following the series against New Zealand while Tamim had not played since his retirement saga in the middle of the Afghanistan series. Mahmudullah would have to show both form and fitness in order to stake a claim for the World Cup squad. Tamim, meanwhile, will be looking to gauge his fitness and batting form in the series.

“Having two senior stars helps us in every way … I don’t want to create any pressure on them. When Bangladesh enjoy the game, the possibility of success increases,” he felt.

The Tigers have had difficulty in coming up with sound decisions in key phases of certain games. On the batting front, Liton felt the idea would be to score runs as per situation.

“If we lose quick wickets and [Mahmudullah] Riyad goes out to bat with 30-35 overs of game left, he will play his own game. There is nothing to tell him, he is very mature. The same applies to Soumya … It’s not just them, every batter’s responsibility is to score runs,” Liton said.

With overcast conditions in forecast today as well, the Mirpur wicket is likely to be on the slower side. Thus, playing conditions and lack of practice will add to Bangladesh batters’ challenges.