The Bangladesh national cricket team want to maintain their winning momentum in the forthcoming T20I series against Pakistan, following their historic victory over Sri Lanka.聽
Bangladesh will host their Pakistan counterparts in a three-match series, which starts on Sunday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
This will be Bangladesh鈥檚 first home series in this format since May last year, when they defeated Zimbabwe 4-1.
Most team members returned from Sri Lanka on Thursday, but only Mohammad Naim arrived in Mirpur on Friday for an optional training session.
Pakistan, who reached Dhaka earlier, had a session under the lights at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
The Tigers were hammered by Pakistan in May when they were swept in a three-match series.
How the wickets in Mirpur behave during the monsoon season will be a concern even for the home team. However, Naim remained confident that the momentum from their recent wins will be advantageous.
鈥榃e will try to carry the winning momentum,鈥� Naim told reporters on Friday. 鈥榃e will play at home, and we all know what happens in Mirpur. The team is in excellent shape. We have to forget about the past but will try to keep the momentum going.鈥�
鈥業 will keep us ahead as we always do when it comes to the home team,鈥� he added.
The 25-year-old also mentioned that the bowlers are in good rhythm, which will work in their favour.
鈥楾he bowlers are also in a good momentum. As teammates, we have seen they are in a good position. If we can continue this, we will be able to take the home advantage,鈥� Naim said.
On an individual level, Naim, who made a comeback after nearly three years against Sri Lanka, played only one match in the series.
Despite being selected as a backup opener, he had to bat at four due to Jaker Ali鈥檚 injury. The left-handed batter scored 32* off 29 but was dropped from the remaining two matches.
Naim stated that he was unprepared for the role, as he had never batted in the middle order before.
He said, 鈥業 wasn鈥檛 supposed to play. If I knew the opportunity would come鈥� To be honest, I wasn鈥檛 prepared mentally. I always prepare to open the batting. Even [today], I have practised individually on how to play in the opening if the opportunity comes.鈥�
The second and third matches of the series will be held on July 22 and 24, respectively. All matches will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
Bangladesh has already announced a 16-member squad for the series, which remains unchanged from the Sri Lanka tour.聽
