Following the two successive defeats in the backyard against the world champion England Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal looked desperate to be finished on a shining note in the three one-day internationals as he invited his fellow senior campaigner Shakib Al Hasan while looking at the pitch before they take on the tourists at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram today.
The series finale will begin at 12 p.m. and T Sports, GTV will televise the tie live.
It was a balmy March morning; Bangladesh national team was attending their optional training sessions with a joyous spirit ahead of their do-or-die to lessen the series difference as the visitors were leading it by 2-0.
Bangladesh suffered a clean sweep nine years back at their den in 2014 against their Sri Lankan counterpart.
Being an elective build-up day, Bangladesh team management rested Litons Das, Taskin Ahmed, and Afif Hossain.
Although Taskin’s absence drew some eyebrows, that whether the Tigers' key pacer is fit to play in the game. However, it all reversed when he informed this reporter that he was quite okay and fit to play.
‘I am fine by the grace of almighty. No reason to be worried. Our team management directed us to stay inside the team hotel,’ said Taskin.
However, at one point, all eyes in the venue, including journalists, groundsmen, and curators, were fixed on a moment, when Tamim was calling Shakib with a loud voice from the centre wicket to oversee the pitch of ZACS.
Shakib looked surprised in response and asked, pointing out with his fingers, 'me'? Once he was confirmed that it was really him, started moving towards the skipper to analyze the wicket alongside the head coach Chandika Hathurusingha and curators of the venue.
Thus, a long-awaited feud between the two Bangladesh senior campaigners came to an end, that was revealed by Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan a couple of weeks earlier to a media outlet.
Bangladesh continued their training until 1 p.m. prior to the arrival of the England team to attend their training ahead of the clash.
Meanwhile Bangladesh spin bowling consultant Rangana Herath came to the pre-match press conference and emphasized on to come back vigorously in the competition to avoid one more clean sweep at their lodge.
‘We need to come back strongly, so we are looking to that challenge as well as do well against England in the last one-day,’ said Herath.
The pitches of the ZACS have always been termed as ‘batting paradise. Therefore, the Tiger spin bowling coach said that the surface would be challenging for the pacers; however, he hinted that it [the wicket] is going to be dry where the spinners are expected to get substantial assistance.
‘There will be challenges from spinners and fast bowlers. It looks a bit dry, in that case when the fast bowlers will have a bit of challenge. Same for spinners. As batters we need to get to that challenge, and react accordingly.’
