11 February - Cape Town - Bangladesh Captain Nigar Sultana pre-match press conference
[Reporter]
Just a question on the four players who have been included from the under-19s. How they are coping up with the senior team and how do you see their development going forward?
[Nigar Sultana]
Obviously, I'm super excited to see the team and obviously they were actually very experienced during the under-19s and they have played a good cricket during the under-19s World Cup and I guess they are also super excited to be able to perform for the national side and I'm really looking forward to see them perform.
[Reporter]
What do you think is the biggest strength of this Bangladeshi team when we talk about batting, bowling, team bonding, anything?
[Nigar]
I think first I guess obviously team bonding. As you can see, we can win a game when we actually contribute as a team just because we don't have a power hitter like the other team they have. Actually, we don't have the good finisher but we have a good team that if we can contribute as a team like if we could do well in the three sides like batting, bowling and fielding obviously, that time we can win a match. So, seeing this percentage and we are looking to play good cricket.
[Reporter]
Could you tell us a little bit about Bangladesh's preparations for this tournament and also whether there are any injury concerns in the first game?
[Nigar]
So, there is no injury issues so this is a very good news for the team and obviously, we came here a bit earlier just to adapt the wicket and the condition and we played against a warm-up game in the preparing camp against Ireland so it was quite important for all of us and obviously, playing against Pakistan and India, it helped us to see what is the lacking that we have. We still got before the main match and we are looking forward to play against Sri Lanka.
[Reporter]
What would you count as success in this tournament for Bangladesh? Are you targeting the semi-finals? What is your target here?
[Nigar]
See, cricket is a very unpredictable situation right now because you can't say anything about it and we just look forward to play match by match and obviously, we just want to think about now Sri Lanka because this is very much important for all of us. You know, the first game of the tournament is very - though they get a very good win against South Africa but still, we are a good side I think and a particular day is very important. We are going to do well in that day and obviously, play as a team and play good cricket. That will come at the end of the day.
[Reporter]
The U-19 team performed so well in the World Cup and reached the semi-finals. How much inspiration do you take?
[Nigar]
Obviously, actually, we were watching their play when we were in a camp in Bangladesh so we were very excited and actually, we didn't get so much opportunity to prepare themselves before the U-19 World Cup but they actually played really well and the bunch of players performed for the team. It was a great thing for the team I guess and obviously, including them in the team, it was a great sight for us and obviously, and if I mention the name Marfa Akhtar, Akhtar, they actually contributed in the U-19 and we are actually looking forward to see them perform in the biggest stage.
[Reporter]
Joty, can you hear me? [Yes.] Can you please tell the team condition before the first match, overall, how you are doing? And as we saw in the preparation matches that you're maybe experimenting with the 'Opening'. So how will be the combination in the first match?
[Nigar]
The team is in a good shape. Everyone is doing well. And I would like to say that every one of us came with good preparation. Due to some mistakes maybe it spreads out the wrong message that we experimented a lot with 'Opening' but it actually didn't happen. So far the combination we go on always, we did the 'Opening' with Shamima and 'Happy' in both matches. They did well so far. So we want to keep the same combination we played in the warm-up matches for the main matches also. Our coach has planned it that way.
So we want the way we prepared well, maybe we lost the match against Pakistan, and also couldn't do well against India in the practice match but still, we had some positive areas. I think that if we can bring them into the main matches and play well. So far, as I told you before also that particular day is important. If we could play good cricket, and perform as a team then I hope that would be good for us.
[Reporter]
Hashan Thilakarathne was the coach of the Sri Lankan team, now he's your coach. How much input do you get from him and how much input do you get from him about the opponent?
[Nigar]
See, here I would say, it's an advantage for us that we took the Sri Lankan coach for us. So we fairly know their weakness and strength. We discussed it in that way and made a plan. Now, it's only time to execute and we will try to apply the plan on the field that we made together as a team and the fewer mistakes we make on that day. It will be the biggest challenge for us to perform as a team.
[Reporter]
One last question is about Shorna Akter. We saw her in the U-19 World Cup she batted really well and as always we have lackings of playing big shots, but she played really well in the place. So how hopeful are you about Shorna and how much can you improve in this World Cup?
[Nigar]
Look, Shorna is very talented, I would say a young talented player and she performed really well in the U-19 World Cup. That's why we took her as the main team as a reward. I am very hopeful as well as the team about her and we are not putting any pressure on her. As she is very young and I want her to be able to play the natural game that she wants to play. So, we are trying to keep her free so that she will be able to play the game that she wants to play. And obviously, if she plays in XI, I want her to play her natural game. And since she's an allrounder and excellent in fielding too, so I think overall, it's a positive thing for the team to have a player like her.
[Reporter]
My question to you is that you have a game against Sri Lanka. They played really well yesterday. So, did you guys manage to watch their games, analyse it and have you got plans against them?
[Nigar]
Yeah obviously, we have got their coach already in our team. So, it is a big advantage, I guess. And he knew about them very well and we have planned against them. And he actually works on that all the time. And even though we have seen their game many times and we have played them each other so many times, even during the game against them. So, many times we have experienced and we have experienced that and a lot of seniors actually played against them many times. So, this is the advantage we have. And we are just trying to execute our game plan against them and we will try to make everything in a good shape. And obviously, we are looking forward to play against them very well.
[Reporter]
How is the overall morale of the team and someone already asked it as well, the under-19 did well - So, how much motivation are you guys taking from that?
[Nigar]
See, actually, we have mentioned, like, we came here going through the qualifier round. So, we know the value of this stage because this is they are looking forward all the time because this is a huge opportunity for them to show their capability. And obviously, how good we are and we have the potential to see and to compete the good side of the other nations. And obviously, and we're just trying to give ourselves the chance to showcase that we actually are not here for the participant, we're here for the competition.
[Reporter]
First of all, how is your preparation for that tournament? Secondly, what's your expectation from that tournament from your team?
[Nigar]
See, we have played four World Cups. So, except 2014, we couldn't manage a single win in this tournament. So, we are looking for our first win here. And obviously, get the momentum we want to carry forward through the tournament. And obviously, we look to play well here. And obviously, we are here to play the semi-final.