Bangladesh opener Soumya Sarkar credited Saif Hassan for battling cold and fever while delivering a brilliant batting display to help the hosts claim an ODI series win after four successive losses. Bangladesh clinched the series against West Indies thanks to a massive 176-run opening partnership between Sarkar (91) and Saif (80), laying the foundation for 296 for 8 on a turning track, a score that proved to be more than enough to secure victory.
“He (Saif) batted really well. His shot selections were very good, and whenever he was facing difficulties, he continuously communicated. He was also facing breathing issues. So the way he batted and survived, we should actually give him his credits,” Sarkar told T-sports.
Meanwhile, Saif thanked Sarkar for guiding him through the middle. “Dada (Soumya) was helping me a lot today. I was suffering from a fever and a cold for three days. I have [played] many times with Dada, in the A team, Rangpur. So, I always feel comfortable with Dada to bat.
“Of course, there is regret for the century. We were set, myself and Dada were playing very comfortably. But we contributed to the team’s victory, and we have won the game; that is the important. Of course, I will try to cash in [on such] opportunities like this in the future,” he added.
Sarkar, however, insisted he was not thinking of personal milestones. “No (I don’t have any regrets over missing the century) as I was happy because the wicket was very tough, so we had a very good partnership. If I could convert my score into the century, it might feel better, but again, the main thing is that I could contribute to the team and the team has won, and this is the main thing,” he said.
Sarkar, who scored 140 runs in the series at an average of 46.37 and a strike rate of 77.35, had some unfinished business after the heartbreak of the second ODI, when Bangladesh lost by one run in a Super Over. Learning from that game, he attacked from the start in the decider. It was tricky to rotate strike on the spin-friendly Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium pitch, where both sides had struggled to cross 220 in the first two matches. But the left-hander was able to pull out the reverse-sweep to good effect.
“It feels actually good to bat on the tough wicket and we can put faith in our skills,” he said. “It was not like that it was a huge turning on the wicket. So, it was the best option (playing reverse sweep) for me,” Sarkar said.
“I feel like he (Saif) also played this shot once and thought playing reverse sweep against the spin would be better than playing straight,” he said.
Meanwhile, Saif said this positive mindset in the final game made the difference. Batting with intent paid off on the black-soil wicket, which had seen a world record 50 overs dominated by spin in the second ODI. “Wicket was just like it was in the two matches we played. The pitch was the same, but we tried to bat having positive intentions, [and it made the difference]” he said.
© Cricbuzz
