Seniors’ support helped us to play fearless cricket: Afif

Bangladesh registered their first ever T20I victory against India when the Tigers defeated the Rohit Sharma led side by seven wickets at the Arun Jaitely Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

The Tigers went into the tour without two of their stalwarts -- al-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and opener Tamim Iqbal. Shakib was handed a two-year ban by International Cricket Council (ICC) for failing to report corrupt approaches from a bookie while Tamim had pulled himself out of the whole India tour on personal grounds.

But the likes of Afif Hossain, Aminul Islam and Mohammad Naim had stepped up in the absence of the two senior cricketers during their first of the three T20Is against India. And all-rounder Afif said that it was the constant support from the senior players that had helped them to play fearless cricket.

"All the senior players that we have are really supporting us and that helped us to play pressure less and fearless cricket. They are always supporting us and we are hopeful that will not have any problem in the future." said Afif to the reporters after their practise session today at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, where the two sides will be playing their second match on November 7.

Afif, who thought it was too early to predict an outcome of the series, said that the Tigers are very confident after their victory in the first game.

"We are still not planning or thinking about winning the series. We are trying to focus on what we do. We all are just trying to do our best for now.

"I cannot say if India is under pressure or not but we are very confident after winning the first game. We are feeling good and this will help us in playing better cricket." said Afif.

Afif, who did not get to bat in Sunday's game, was the pick of the bowlers for the Tigers, returning figures of 11 for three in his three overs. The 20-year old all-rounder hoped to perform well with the bat in the next games if he gets the chance.

"I am a batting all-rounder. But I did not get the chance to bat in the last match. I got the chance to bowl and I tried to perform for the team and if I get the chance to bat [in the next games] then I will try to do my best in batting too." concluded Afif.