Time to turn words into deeds

The Tigers play a game of football during training at the BCB Academy ground yesterday. They will get a second chance to bring the smile back to the disappointed home fans provided that they put up a good fight against India at Mirpur today. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

What else is there for Mushfiqur Rahim to say? It is rather the time for the Bangladesh skipper to prove something on the field when his side take on India in their second encounter of the ICC World Twenty20 Super 10s at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur this evening. So the little man, whose world has suddenly become gloomy, skipped the pre-match press conference at Mirpur yesterday. But as is the norm, someone had to front up, and the management sent the right man in Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, but there was little new that even he could add.
It is now the time for the Tigers to make their loyal fans believe that they have the potential to play good cricket and they are not in the top flight to only give false hope to millions of their fans. Mashrafe's words in a long press conference was not really different from what has repeatedly been said till now -- that they have to play good cricket and follow the basics.
Mashrafe is also the right choice to front up when it comes to battle against India because he has had brilliant individual success in Bangladesh's two ODI victories. Still, now is not the time for the Tigers to draw inspiration from the past and the 'Narail Express' was also not in the mood.
"It was disappointing the way we lost the last two games. We want to play well, fight as much as we can. We will play to win for sure, but above everything else, we have to start well. We have to fight hard. Once we do that, we can play better. We have always won when we have given a good fight. We didn't do that in the last two matches," said Mashrafe.
"At the moment, everything seems to be difficult. I feel that if we can start well tomorrow, it will be easier for us. We lost wickets early against West Indies and Hong Kong. I still believe that our batsmen can dominate top-class attacks,” he added pointing out his side's batting problems so far in this year.
The seasoned campaigner however placed importance on a combined effort to end their sordid streak. “We will need a combined performance, as that often brings us wins.”
Bangladesh are now under pressure, receiving criticism from all corners and Mashrafe said that they have to accept it. The only effective answer would be to prove themselves on the field.