(UTV | BANGLADESH) – Bangladesh left-arm pace bowler Shoriful Islam is elated to be back in South Africa.
The lanky pacer certainly has some happy memories on these shores having impressed in the Under-19 World Cup in 2020 – a title that Bangladesh clinched for the first time in their history.
While the conditions in South Africa certainly favours the pacers, Shoriful insisted that his teammates cannot afford to be erratic.
“I was delighted when I heard that we will play in South Africa. I remembered the U 19 World Cup memory where we clinched U 19 World Cup for the first time,” Shoriful said after the practice session at the Wanderers.
“I was feeling good to train here because there is grass in the pitch and the ball was carrying and there is always something for the pace bowlers in South Africa. Although fast bowlers get some advantage in South Africa, we have to bowl in a disciplined way. If we are not disciplined then batsmen will get extra runs and so we will try to bowl with a normal basic plan,” he added.
Bangladesh were initially scheduled to have an intra squad practice game on Tuesday but they eventually ended up doing nets at the center wicket at the Wanderers. Newly-appointed bowling coach Allan Donald had a busy time with his charges and Shoriful in particular, whom he rates very highly.
“He (Donald) spoke with me at breakfast. He worked with my wrist position during practice. Hopefully I will take something good from him,” said Shoriful.
Meanwhile, the technical director Khaled Mahmud feels that the presence of Albie Morkel, who was appointed for the ongoing ODI series as their power-hitting coach, will help the tourists to a great extent.
“We’ve hired Morkel for four to five days only for power-hitting training. He has vast experience here in South Africa and the head coach (Domingo) also wants him to be with us,” said Mahmud regarding Morkel, who was seen working with the batsmen in the nets.
The BCB officials also confirmed on Tuesday that newly appointed fielding coach Shane McDermott is yet reach South Africa after testing positive for Covid-19. Bangladesh will kickstart the tour with the three-match ODI series before taking on the hosts for two Tests.