Long gap from cricket no problem for Mashrafe and Tamim, says Anamul

Long gap from competitive cricket will not take the gloss off from the ability of Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Tamim Iqbal as Dhaka Platoon gears up to open the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL) by taking on Rajshahi Royals tomorrow (Thursday) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Mashrafe did not play any cricket after a personal disappointing World Cup for him while Tamim was away from the cricket since he played against Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series. Tamim meantime played a National Cricket League (NCL) game in which he did not get runs.

Both of the senior players, however, are all set to return to the ground with the Dhaka Platoon's opening match tomorrow but the question raised whether the long gap from the cricket would make any adverse impact on their performance.

Dhaka Platoon wicket-keeper batsman Anamul Haque Bijoy downplayed any kind of anxiety over their performance, saying that they are ready to fire.

"Both of them are okay. Mashrafe is such kind of player who is able to deliver right from the start of the game. That's really exciting," Anamul said here today.

"After watching Tamim bat, it seemed he is desperate to make the impact. I think both of them are in good condition and desperate to contribute to the team," he added.

He said the veteran campaigner's experience is something which no team can deny.

"It is very necessary for every team to have some experienced and senior players. We also have some senior foreign players. To have such players, it boosts the team." Anamul said, adding that he is confident that Dhaka Platoon has the ingredients to be successful, given they have a good bonding amongst them.

"Actually we have played together for many years now. The last time I played, we have many players in this team from that squad, both local and overseas. That's why our bonding is so good. And we have the same coach of last year," he remarked.

"I think our bonding so good. We are trying to play our game. We are enjoying among ourselves and trying to input from our side. So I think this is an advantage, so we think less about other things," he said.

"When we practice it never seems like they have been outside the game. It looks like they are complete and compact. And there's an environment in our team that they will play well. Everyone will help each other, this is cricket," he continued.

"This is a team game. Every player cannot perform every day. One has to bat well another has to bowl, that creates the difference. I think we have been playing for so long and we will play well. And everyone will contribute," he concluded.