Rumana: Experience is the only takeaway from the series

Published at 02:43 pm May 23rd, 2018

Rumana Ahmed said the only takeaway from the series was the fact they had played an international series after more than a year

Bangladesh women’s cricket team returned home Tuesday following a dreadful tour of South Africa. Bangladesh were whitewashed in both the five-match ODI and three-game T20I series.

The women in red and green made a flying start to the tour with a convincing win in the lone one-day practice game against local opposition. However, the visiting side failed to live upto expectation as they struggled in almost all the matches, chiefly due to bite-less batting.

The Proteas women continued their dominance over Bangladesh, registering a total of 10 ODI wins in 12 attempts and four T20I victories in five encounters.

Bangladesh ODI captain Rumana Ahmed however, saw the bright side of things.

“I felt they had a big progress from the last time we faced them (at home). They played like kings at their home while we failed to show our potential. They had a brilliant pace attack and we are far behind them in that department,” said Rumana to the media at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Wednesday.

Top-order batter Rumana cited foreign condition to be the chief reason behind the team’s failure. The series was the Bangladesh women’s first in 14 months, and the first away tour since February last year when the side toured Sri Lanka.

“That win in the practice game had raised the bar of expectation to be honest. They had two batters in the series who were part of that practice match. We had the belief that we could turn around, despite losing the first game. But they made random and frequent changes and did not let go any opportunity,” Rumana explained.

Rumana said the only takeaway from the series was the fact they had played an international series after more than a year.

“We played five matches this year. Not sure when our next bilateral series will be held. Next is the Asia Cup T20I for us but no ODIs. The only takeaway from this series was the experience. They are a good team so we learnt the kind of preparation we need when playing a tough opponent,” said Rumana.