Improve fielding
As the group stage of this World Cup is drawing to a close, we have two games of contrasting complexions on offer today after a predictable victory for South Africa against the lightweights of UAE yesterday. The first of the two fixtures involve co-hosts New Zealand and a confident Bangladesh at Hamilton. The other is between England and World Cup debutants Afghanistan at the SCG in Australia.
Perhaps on any other occasion the focus would have been more on the SCG where England will actually play only for pride like the Afghans, after being knocked out of the competition.
However England's predators the Tigers can also relax against the Kiwis with the notion in their mind is that they have already made it to the quarterfinals. But this is a game the Tigers need to play with the same intensity, if not more, to make a statement ahead of their next serious assignment. With inspirational captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza wisely deciding to sit out the game to rest his bad knees, it will be an opportunity for stand-in Shakib Al Hasan to emulate his captain against a team eager to keep a clean sheet like defending champions India.
The Kiwis will also be asking questions of how good the Tigers are when they are not playing against them at Mirpur or Chittagong. They will certainly test the Tigers with those venomous swings in their den, their batsmen will try to bury their opponents under an avalanche of runs. But this is also the time to show character that the Tigers have shown so far in the tournament. It is the time for Tamim Iqbal to get back his shattered confidence and Imrul Kayes to stand and deliver. It is important for the openers to negotiate those early swings. Soumya Sarker has shown he is a capable batsman, but is yet to bat to his potential. Shakib Al Hasan is starving for wickets and runs. Mahmudullah Riyad scored a century. But he must be aware that when he takes guard against the Kiwis he will start from 0. We don't think Mushfiqur Rahim need counselling, but we can hope when he packs the punches over mid-on it sails over the ropes. The pace battery led by Rubel Hossain was impressive against England. We want to believe that it will get more bite in a condition that suits the bowlers most.
The fielding is one area the Tigers need to improve on a lot. We hope it starts from Hamilton.
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