Saifuddin vows to be more economical

Bangladesh all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin claimed he has been working hard to be more economical in the shorter format games in the international arena. Saifuddin made this vow to the media after his man-of-the match performance against Zimbabwe in the second ODI at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Wednesday. 

Saifuddin, who received his first man-of-the-match award in his fifth ODI appearance, stole the limelight as he picked up three important wickets by conceding just 45 runs in 10 overs on a batting friendly deck. His performance restricted the visitors for a below par score that paved the way for hosts’ batsman to clinch an easy seven-wicket win that sealed the three-match series with one game in hand.   

Dominant Tigers beat Zimbabwe to win ODI series 2-0 https://t.co/nUEkFV5NpT
Dominant #Bangladesh batsmen produced a commanding performance to ensure a seven-wicket victory and secure the three match #ODI series by leading 2-0 over visiting #Zimbabwe.

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) October 24, 2018

 “I have worked on the mental aspect of bowling. I have discussed it with senior players, on how to approach bowling in international cricket. I had been quite expensive at this level previously. I will try to keep up what I did today. There’s still a long way to go,” informed Saifuddin during the post match conference. 

Saifuddin could not prove himself much effective as he took only one wicket in his previous 4 ODIs and conceded 104 runs off 18 overs at an economic rate of almost six per over. But his T20I record is even more dismal as he has leaked 11.05 over per over in 18 overs he has bowled so far in six matches. The most shambolic moment for the 21-year old medium pacer was when South African batsman David Miller struck five sixes in one of his overs at Potchefstroom late last year. Ironically his figure of 2-53 in that match is his best in T20I till now and he thought these experiences gave him lessons. He thought his endeavors in age-level matches and experience of playing with the likes of Mehedi Hasan Miraz also enriched him mentally and skill wise. 

Soumya included in squad for third Zimbabwe ODI https://t.co/xxKdmGqECk#Bangladesh batsman #Soumya Sarkar has been included in the squad for the third and final #ODI against #Zimbabwe.

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) October 24, 2018

 “There will be some slips when you try to get success. My mother used to say that a baby may fall while taking his first steps but does that mean he will not walk? I will get hit but I will learn from it. I have been bowling in the death overs in the U15 and U17, while playing under Miraz struggled in my early days in international cricket but I always speak to Miraz and Mustafizur, who is an experienced bowler. I tried to execute whatever I have learned.”

The right arm medium pacer earned his call-up to the ODI series against Zimbabwe and he has grabbed his opportunity well so far. In the first ODI he scored a crucial fifty and built a vital partnership with Imrul Kayes to help his team post a challenging total. And in the second ODI he showed his talent with the ball as well. 

 “I wanted Mashrafe (bin Mortaza) bhai to bring me into the attack in the death overs. I wanted to show something since I am playing in place of Rubel (Islam) bhai. I wanted to do something different so that I get noticed. I am happy I have contributed something good to help my team win,” the man, who hails from Feni, added.