'I felt what actual pace is'
It was the first time experiencing New Zealand for Bangladesh players Liton Das, Mohammad Saifuddin and Mohammad Mithun when they played the first ODI on Wednesday. And although the visitors lost the game by a comprehensive eight wickets, Saifuddin and Mithun had relatively good outings in their maiden appearance in the testing conditions.
On the other hand, Liton would want to forget his first game in New Zealand as he was bowled by Matt Henry after scoring just one run as Bangladesh suffered a batting collapse that left them struggling on 131 for 7.
However, Mithun and Saifuddin steadied the ship and added a Bangladesh record eighth-wicket 84-run stand to take the total to 232.
Mithun top-scored for the Tigers with 62 off 90 balls while Saifuddin provided valuable support with a 58-ball 41.
As he recalled the experience, Mithun admitted that he never faced bowlers as quick as the likes of Trent Boult and Matt Henry, who gave him a tough time.
"This is my first time in New Zealand and although I have faced Jofra Archer, who bowls very quick, that was in Bangladesh and in a T20 game. When I faced Boult and Henry, I felt what actual real pace is and how conditions can help seamers," Mithun told The Daily Star outside the Novotel Hotel in Christchurch, where the Bangladesh team are staying.
"What you face in the nets is totally different to what you practise [against] in the nets so it was something new for me as I am not used to playing against such fast bowlers."
The 27-year-old added that if anyone wanted to score runs in New Zealand they would have to work really hard.
"I never felt at ease for even a while when I was batting. It would be a lie if I said I felt at ease batting against such a bowling attack. I had to work really hard and whoever wants to score runs will have to work hard in such conditions," he added.
22-year-old Saifuddin, who has liked Boult for a long time, was courageous and the all-rounder believes that he is confident of delivering his best.
"When I went out to bat and was about to face the first ball -- that too against Boult who I admire for his express bowling -- I decided not to show that I was nervous. So I came down the track to hit Boult off the very first ball and he came towards me and said 'are you crazy?' and smiled. Since then I started gaining in confidence and tried to play for my team and never thought of reaching a fifty, which I could have scored if I wanted," said Saifuddin.
However, the right-arm pacer admitted that he was not happy with his bowling performance and that he would try to utilise the seam-friendly conditions to greater effect in the coming days.