The target is 207 runs. In the past of Bangladesh in T20, seeing such runs, our country’s batsmen lost many times before losing. In the first T20 of the series against Sri Lanka in Sylhet, the Tigers were walking on the same path as the top order failed.
But Zaker Ali Anik thought otherwise. Making his official debut in the national team (he had previously played three matches for the national team at the Asian Games) the 26-year-old made it almost impossible. Bangladesh lost the match by 3 runs in the last ball.
Although the team lost, Zaker’s innings of 68 runs from 34 balls in the debut match stole everyone’s heart. By playing 6 innings of sixes, Zaker has shown that he did not come to be lost.
Discussions about Zaker’s innings are everywhere. But Zaker himself regrets not being able to win the team. At the press conference after the match, he lamented and said, ‘If I could have won the match and scored 10-12 runs, I would have felt more happy. Yes, well played Alhamdulillah. What God has given…but I would have been happier if I could have won the match.’
When Zaker came to the crease, it was Mahmudullah. Bangladesh is losing 4 wickets for 68 runs. That match was deadlocked till the last ball, Bangladesh lost by just 3 runs.
What was the plan with Mahmudullah? Zaker replied, ‘When I went to bat, Riyad was the brother. Riyad Bhai said to bat normally. Tried it like I usually play. There were no additional plans. When I got down, Riyad bhai took some risk and hit a boundary. That’s why I can play for free, it becomes easy for me.
Sylhet is his home venue. There was audience support. Know the field. In between, he played the BPL final a couple of days ago. What is the use of playing from a rhythm?
Zakir said, ‘Yes. This stuff actually worked. Because the game seems to be played here within two days of BPL. I think that thing definitely works. Coming from this environment to the T20 format, it helped. Since this is my home ground, here I had an idea about the ground wicket. It worked.’
Zaker added, ‘I have always loved playing at the Sylhet ground. My first-class cricket debut is also here. I have said before, I know about the environment of this field. The wicket was very good. Everything was fine, if I could win the match; It would be good.’
MMR/MIHS
#won #match #Zaker
