ICC Champions Trophy: We have a plan for Kane Williamson - Mashrafe Mortaza
Mashrafe Mortaza believes that Bangladesh will give their hundred percent against New Zealand when the two teams face each other in ICC Champions Trophy.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has been in brilliant form in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 till now, but his Bangladesh counterpart Mashrafe Mortaza believes that they have a plan to stop him when the two teams face on Friday. (CT2017 COVERAGE)
“Definitely the bowlers have a plan (for Kane Williamson) with the coaching staff. So we have to stick on it, and the form he’s going, it was unbelievable,” he said at the pre-match press conference.
“But yes, he is in great form but we cannot focus only in on Williamson. They have some players like Guptill who can change the game. So we have to think all of their batters as a bowling group, and obviously our batters have to think about their batting group,” he added.
Bangladesh and New Zealand have one point each from two matches and Friday’s game will be a must-win for both of them. If Australia lose to England on Saturday, the winner of this game will qualify for the semi-finals.
When asked about his team’s mindset ahead of the game, Mortaza said, “It’s our focus to win every match and we play at our best. So obviously tomorrow’s match we will try our level best. We knew if we can create chances, obviously we have to grab it, and play hard.”
READ | ICC Champions Trophy: Bangladesh and New Zealand desperate for win in a do-or-die match
Bangladesh were defeated in the first game of the tournament by hosts England and their second match against Australia was washed out. In both matches, their top performer was Tamim Iqbal (223 from 2 matches) and Mortaza was all praises for the Bangladesh opener.
“I think Tamim is in great form. Doesn’t mean that Tamim will come in to score tomorrow, as well. So you never know what’s going on. But the way Tamim batted, it was brilliant.”
