‘It’s not in our control’ – Najmul on off-field issues

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain called for a smooth sailing of the off-field issues at least in the future as they prepare to take on Afghanistan in the three-match ODI series, scheduled to start at Sharjah from November 6.

Cricbuzz earlier reported that uncapped pace bowler Nahid Rana and left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed could join the opening practice session due to visa complications but the duo are yet to arrive in the UAE and are almost ruled out of the opening ODI even though Najmul remains hopeful.

“I think that Nasum and Rana are coming, it’s what I still believe in and the cricket board is taking care of the issue. Since there are is still time till the match begins, I am hoping,” Najmul told reporters in Sharjah on Tuesday.

“Would have been better had they been able to arrive sooner but it’s not in our control,” he said. “They have more right-handed batters and although we don’t have a left-arm spinner, Rishad is there and the way he is bowling in the T20 format, I think he will be a very good option for us. Had everything been smooth, it would have been good for the team. But as I said, it’s not in our control.

As a player, rather than focusing on these, we have to ensure how we can make our abilities and our resources work as that is more important. If the outside issues are smooth in the future series, then it would be good for our team,” he added.

Najmul pointed out that they are not worried about facing Fazalhaq Farooqi even though the left-arm pacer has been a thorn in their flesh in recent times, picking 15 wickets in eight matches he played so far with an economy rate of 4.84. He also averages 19.33 against them – his best against an opposition he played at least three times.

“Yes obviously. He (Farooqi) is a superb bowler but I feel that we have played a lot of matches against this team. So we have that idea and those batting at the top order will have to take the responsibility of how to handle the new ball,” said Najmul.

“The preparation is very good and happy how we practiced. Everyone prepared themselves very well. Yes some of the senior players are not here but we can’t think about those who are not here. We can only think about what we have now and I believe we have the players who are able to perform here. So I believe all 15 players can perform here.

“In any format, the top-order start is very important. But I don’t want the top-order to take too much pressure. I want them to enjoy the game and play according to the abilities they have for the team. I believe we will do well in this format. We have done well in the past and of course Afghanistan are good in these conditions but if we can play to our strengths, we can do very well against them,” he said.

“We have three matches here and three in West Indies. I won’t call it preparation since all six matches are important and we will play to win all six. If we can take confidence from here then it will be easier for us in the Champions Trophy. What combination we want to play in, we would get those ideas from here,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi insisted that his side won’t take Bangladesh for granted despite their own good form in recent times. Shahidi also insisted that opportunities will be handed to newcomers if the situation arises. Afghanistan included Sediqullah Atal and Billal Sami in their squad on the back of their performances in the Emerging Asia Cup recently.

“I think since I was the captain we brought a lot of young players and besides Nabi and Gulu (Gulbadin) all of them are young and it doesn’t mean who is debuting is young and who are playing are not young,” said Hashmatullah. “I have lot of youngsters and some of them are new to the team and the likes of Sediqullah Atal he is picked for the first time in ODIs and Billal Sami. We will see match by match and if we need any of these guys then we will give them a chance.

“We keep it simple with what we are doing last couple of years, so we know our strengths and every player knows his plans and his own role in the team and what he should do for the team. We do that and we give our hundred percent for the team, we are well prepared for this series and we are here for the last 10 days. We had good sessions and also we know about the conditions here in Sharjah and played lot of cricket here and hopefully we will have a good series.”