‘Important to highlight small contributions’

Following a convincing win in the first ODI, Bangladesh will look to seal the three-match ODI series as Tamim Iqbal and his troops take on the host Zimbabwe in the second ODI in Harare today.

Liton Das showed great maturity, after Bangladesh lost four wickets upfront including skipper Tamim Iqbal and experienced Shakib Al Hasan, as the right-hander went on to smash his fourth hundred to help his side post a winning total of 276 for 9.

Young Afif Hossain also chipped in with a quick 45 off 35 and Mehedi Hasan Miraz scored 26 as Bangladesh added 48 runs off the last five overs.

According to Tamim, the relatively younger players performing is a positive sign for the team in the upcoming days.

"We were in trouble at one stage and something that I always say is that the juniors will also have to perform with responsibility. Yesterday (Friday) was an ideal situation where Liton played a very responsible knock.

"Afif's innings was crucial, as had he not played that knock in that situation we may have scored 30-40 runs short and wouldn't have reached 270 plus. Even Miraz's innings of 20 odd runs was also vital for us because if we had quickly lost one more wicket after the departure of Mahmudullah Riyad bhai then we would've been in trouble. So I think it is equally important to highlight the small contributions as well," said Tamim ahead of the second ODI yesterday.

Meanwhile, there were few injury concerns in the side where Tamim is still carrying a knee injury while Liton had also hurt his wrist during the first ODI while batting. Left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman, who picked up an ankle injury during the two-day warm-up game ahead of the Test series and also missed the first ODI, is still doubtful for today's game.

"I am set to play the three ODIs with this injury but I think I will be able to manage it. As far as I know, Liton's condition is much better than before and will probably be available for tomorrow (today). Mustafizur is still 50-50 and we will be able to assess his condition properly by afternoon. Apart from that, everyone is fit in the team," he added.

Although Bangladesh won the first game with a huge margin of 155 runs, and yet, according to the 32-year-old there is still a lot of room for improvement with the bat, especially in the top-order. Tamim however, did express his satisfaction over the bowling department as they bundled out Zimbabwe within a small total of 121 runs where Shakib picked up his third five-wicket haul in ODIs.