Bangladesh focused on playing good cricket, not paying attention to outside noise – Russell Domingo

Bangladesh are set to take on Sri Lanka in their first game of the Super 12s. Ahead of the match, Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo said the team is focusing on playing good cricket and are not paying attention to the outside noise. Notably, Bangladesh President Nazum Hasan had slammed the team after their shock loss to Scotland in their opening game.

“I am just here to focus on the cricket. I can’t be too concerned what gets said outside of the team. My focus is to prepare the team well mentally and physically for tomorrow,” Domingo told reporters. “When you are playing for Bangladesh, there’s always going to be criticism when things don’t go well. A big part of coaching is for the team to focus on what they can control. There’s nothing we can do about what people are writing and saying.

Bangladesh will take on Sri Lanka in their opening game. While Bangladesh have dominated Sri Lanka of late, the coach said they are not taking them lightly as they are well aware of Sri Lanka’s capabilities. “I think we have played against Sri Lanka a bit over the last couple of months. We have had some good contests against them in ODIs and Tests. We have played against Hasaranga quite a bit over the last couple of months and we know what he is capable of,” he said.

The match will be played in Sharjah, where the wicket seems to assist the slower bowlers. Domingo said the conditions will be favourable for Bangladesh as the players have been playing on such wickets of late. “These type of conditions can suit us. Sharjah is similar to the wickets in Dhaka. Hopefully, that can assist us in tomorrow’s game.”