Bangladesh trying not to think about pressure

Cricket365
March 17, 2018

Bangladesh skipper Shakib-al-Hasan feels that his team need to avoid overthinking in pressure situations if they are to overcome India.

The Tigers face India in the T20I Nidahas Trophy final in Colombo on Sunday having beaten hosts Sri Lanka in a hot tempered affair on Friday.

On that night it was Mahmudullah who kept his cool in extraordinary circumstances to blast Bangladesh over the line with a ball to spare.

Shakib wasn’t quite so cool earning himself a demerit and 25% match fee fine for accosting the umpires after a controversial decision and threatening to pull his batsmen off the park.

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Speaking after training on Saturday Shakib said: “We haven’t discussed the final so we are not thinking about it as pressure yet.

“This, I think, is a big realisation of how we are handling this game so far. If you think about pressure, it is pressure.

“If you don’t think about pressure, it is not pressure. I am sure everyone is relaxed, and if we can be like this till tomorrow’s match, it will be good for us.

“We are not thinking too far ahead. We have to be relaxed and open-minded. It is important to be mentally free to do well in T20s.

“I hope no one takes any pressure, and stays focused on the process. Everyone has a different mentality. I would hope that none of our players have that mental block.

“It would help us to play well. If we think it is a big final against India, then it is pressure. Rather, let’s think about a bat versus ball contest.”

Bangladesh want to get on top early against India and stay there.

The skipper added: “We have a fair idea of what the Indian batsmen like to do.

“They are quite experienced, so we will try not to make it comfortable for them. We have to start well in the game, and then hold on to the momentum.”