'Friday, we were almost perfect'

Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza may not have been in the playing eleven in Bangladesh's win against Pakistan on Friday, but he was very much vocal within the team's dressing room. He was one of the first ones to congratulate both Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim as they returned to the dressing room.

Speaking to reporters yesterday in the pre-match press conference for today's second ODI, Mashrafe said that he was proud to be a part of this team.

"I think we played an almost perfect match on Friday. The players rarely committed mistakes. Maybe we could have bowled better, but the wicket we played on was meant for 300 runs. I hope we can continue the same way in the next game," the 31-year-old hoped.

The skipper further praised the two batsmen who took the game away from the tourists.

"I always said that it was only a matter of time before Tamim played a big knock. The amount of hard work he has been putting in the nets lately… the result was bound to come. Now we should all pray that he can hold on to his form because playing well in just one match is not everything," said Mashrafe.

Describing Mushfiqur as a run-machine, Mashrafe praised the batsman's 'desire to do well'. "Only class batsmen around the world score runs so consistently. He hasn't been getting as much focus and maybe that's good for him. Hopefully he can continue his good run. Whether there's practice or not, Mushfiqur always attends a net session and it shows how hardworking he is. It's his desire that has brought him here today," said Mashrafe.

Following the win, there were talks in the social media about how this Pakistani side was an 'ordinary' team without their experienced players. Mashrafe however was of a different opinion.

"I don't think this team is ordinary. Their current bowling side I think is better than the one that played in the World Cup. Yes they don't have Misbahul Haq, Ahmed Shehzad and Shahid Afridi. Afridi won many games against us… that is true. However, I don't think they are too far behind us in terms of their balance. Players retire… it may just take them a while before they can arrange themselves again," explained Mashrafe.

When asked the 'customary' question with regards to hopes of a possible whitewash, Mashrafe brushed it aside, saying it would create unnecessary pressure if one were to think of a 3-0 win at the moment. "All we are focusing on right now is the next game. We want to win that," he said.