Sarkar: I just wanted to take them on

After playing a match-winning innings against South Africa, Bangladesh batsman Soumya Sarkar says he made a conscious effort to attack the bowling.

Chasing 163 to win the second ODI in Mirpur, Sarkar scored 88 not out off just 79 balls to guide the Tigers to a series-leveling seven-wicket victory.

Sarkar, who scored 27 in a losing cause in the first ODI, spoke of how he wanted to attack the short ball and make a statement to the Proteas bowling attack.

The left-handed batsman said: "I heard from somewhere that they will stop me by bowling bouncers. I wanted to play at them, even if I got out.

"I wanted to get out of that mindset. I planned that no matter how fast they bowl and how much they try to bounce me, I just wanted to take them on."

The 22 year-old rated his knock against the Proteas as his best innings in international cricket so far, even though he scored an ODI century against Pakistan in April.

Sarkar said: "Against South Africa, I have had to make a bad ball as they weren't giving away. Pakistan were giving at least one bad ball per over.

"This was a tougher knock. We were chasing a bigger total against Pakistan so we could plan accordingly. Small targets are always hard to chase.

"We have to change plans quickly. You have to start fresh after quick wickets. I will keep this innings ahead."

The third, and deciding, match in the series takes in Chittagong on Wednesday.