Najmul: We didn’t bat well, but it wasn’t an easy wicket.

Najmul Hossain, a batsman for Bangladesh, stated on August 31 that they anticipated sporting wickets in competitions like the Asia Cup and that they ought to have batted better than they did against Sri Lanka in their tournament debut at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Bangladesh lost their initial Group B match of the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 to Sri Lanka due to a dismal batting display; the islanders defeated them by five wickets. Bangladesh chose to bat and managed a meager 164 all-out in 42.4 overs, with Najmul scoring the highest. Sri Lanka easily defeated the target, reaching 165/5 with 66 balls remaining.

Najmul was critical of the batting unit’s performance but also noted that the wicket wasn’t conducive to scoring runs. “The wicket is usually terrific here, but today that was not the case. Nevertheless, we must play well because we have no control over these other factors. However, we anticipated a sporting outcome in such a significant competition, Nazmul told reporters.

“I believe we aimed for a score between 250 and 260. Batting was rather simple while the ball was brand new, but it became challenging as it grew stale. It was not a very simple wicket. The primary goal was to score at least 250 points.

“After assessing the pitch, we thought that we should bat, and the captain and coach’s choice was one that we all supported. I won’t argue that the wicket was easy, but we didn’t bat well, and I think we should have batted better,” he remarked. Not regretting missing the century, he continued, but it would have been more satisfying to bat until the end.

Najmul regretted not being able to stay to the very end, even though he would have earned a three-figure score. “I don’t regret anything; the only thing I regret is that it would have been better if I could have batted for 50 overs.

Najmul asserted that Bangladesh may still win the match and advance to the Super Four and that they are sure of defeating Afghanistan. “India and Pakistan are not on our minds right now. Currently, we are focused on the upcoming game against Afghanistan, for which we must prepare once we arrive in Pakistan. We are anticipating a successful match.

“We defeated them in the most recent T20 series, despite our poor performance in the ODIs, and we are not dwelling on the past. We are confident that if we can play up to our capabilities, we will play Afghanistan well. I believe that instead of thinking too far ahead, we should concentrate on how to defeat Afghanistan.

On September 3, Bangladesh will play Afghanistan in a game that they absolutely must win.