Mossadek Hossain, the Bangladesh all-rounder, believes that they will be favourites against Sri Lanka in the upcoming three-match ODIs series. Bangladesh are yet to win any series against Sri Lanka in the island country but seem to be confident considering their recent rise in the 50-over format compounded by the instability in their opponent’s squad.
Bangladesh have played seven bilateral series against Sri Lanka and have only managed to draw against them on two occasions while losing the remaining five. “I think we are favourites against Sri Lanka,” Mossadek said on Thursday (July 18). “You see we are in a better position than them in both batting and bowling department and if you talk about experience then we are in a better position in that area too.”
Mossadek also said that the absence of Shakib Al Hasan and the injury that prevented Mahmudullah from bowling will give him the platform to cement his place as an all-rounder as he will have more opportunity to bowl against the Sri Lankans. Shakib has been granted leave during the series, while Mahmudullah did not bowl during the entire World Cup due to his shoulder injury.
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“I did not think like that (Mahmudullah’s absence in bowling) will help me ahead because since I debuted in ODIs, I had to bowl almost in every match. Even when Riyad [Mahmudullah] bhai was regular in bowling, I had to bowl five-six overs in every match. It is true that his [Mahmudullah’s] absence in bowling on a regular basis though I always consider myself to be a batting all-rounder. If I think that way, I’m getting more chance as a bowler and I will be ahead more as an all-rounder.
“Look, Shakib bhai won’t be with us in the Sri Lanka series. That’s why more opportunities may come in the bowling department. I may have to come in bowling early. Or I may have to bowl more overs than usual. Of course, I am prepared for that opportunity if I have to bowl more overs. I have a plan regarding that. I am focusing on every bit of opportunity that I will get. I am not thinking anything besides that,” he said.
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Mossadek also is trying to establish himself at the number seven position. “I think I will have to bat in the Sri Lanka series at the same position where I batted throughout the World Cup and series before that because of team combination. I think I am set in that position, I am not thinking anything but that actually,” said Mossadek. “Actually, before the World Cup and also during the Premier League I was totally focusing on improving my strike rate. So, when I will go on to bat I may face the same type of situation. If the situation is bad then I have to bat well and propel my team forward. So, I am working on that.”
The Bangladesh team, divided into two groups, will fly out on July 20 and 22 respectively for the three-match series that will be played on July 26, 28 and 31 in Colombo.
