Saifuddin emphasizes on Super League points

Bangladesh’s medium pace all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin emphasized on the importance of grabbing the last 10 points that is in offing for his side in the ongoing one-day international series against hosts Zimbabwe.

 Visitors Bangladesh, having already sealed the series winning the first two game, will look for a whitewash when they take on the home team in the third and the final game of the one-day international series at the Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.    

“All [ODI] matches and points are important now, given we are playing to qualify for the 2023 World Cup. You can see that Tamim [Iqbal] bhai is playing despite having injury; this is simply because of the Super League points,” said Saifuddin to the media on Monday.

 “All our players carry the importance of these matches in their minds and are trying to deliver their best for the team. Every team is good at their home and so is Zimbabwe. We have our focus on the matches. Maybe we are sometimes struggling to get to the results but we are trying. We have a game left in the series and we will look for a whitewash by keeping our process right,” he added.

Also Read: BD-Zim T20 series to start on July 22

Left-handed batsman Saifuddin batting at number nine emerged as the hero and guided Bangladesh to a three-wicket win in the second match. His unbeaten 28 runs and more crucially 69-run partnership with Shakib al Hasan for the eighth wicket was key for Bangladesh to reach the shore despite reeling at 173 for seven due to batting debacle. Saifuddin remained in the middle till the end while his not out partner Shakib finished as the Man of the Match for his heroic 96.

“It was a pressure situation but honestly I was ready for such situations. Whether I will be able to get to the result or not was something for later to see. I tried to keep my focus and as Shakib bhai was with me in the crease I was confident that rotating the strike and getting the game close would bring the result for us,” said Saifuddin.

“We needed around 69 runs when I went to bat. I always wanted to play with Shakib bhai and if possible get a partnership with him and get the team a win. I got the opportunity yesterday and gave my best possible effort to make use of the opportunity. There were loose balls which I had to play dot balls and not loft them simply because I need to stay in the middle for the team. Shakib bhai guided me through to make it easy for me,” the right-arm pacer added.