BAN vs AFG: Towhid Hridoy opens up about Bangladesh’s strategy to deal with ‘world’s best spin attack’

Towhid Hridoy. (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

After losing the ODI series against Afghanistan, Bangladesh were under tremendous pressure to do well in the ongoing T20I series. Notably, in the 50-overs format, the home team struggled to score against Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman and courtesy of which, their batting looked relatively weak. However, in the first T20I, the Shakib Al Hasan-led side changed its approach and eventually managed to win the first T20I by two wickets.

Chasing a target of 155 runs, Bangladesh had a very poor start, but the 22-year-old Towhid Hridoy played an impressive knock of 47* runs off 32 deliveries to help the team win. There was plenty of drama in the middle as Karim Janat picked up a hat-trick in the final over of the game, but Bangladesh nevertheless managed to get over the line.

Meanwhile, speaking about their incredible win, Player of the Match Hridoy stated that the team planned really well for the first T20I and that they were positive throughout the course of the time and tried to focus only on their strengths, which helped them to beat the Rashid Khan-led side.

“We had a plan since they have the world’s best spin attack and it’s difficult to score runs against them. But still we tried to take calculated risks and execute our plan properly. I think every game in international cricket is challenging as every opponent have different strength. But we were able to execute our plan (on Friday),” Towhid Hridoy was quoted as saying by the Daily Star.

“Everyone in the team support and backs each other as we know what our chances are. To be honest, we were very positive regardless of the opposition. We always try to focus on our strengths. We have a great bonding as a team which helps us. Coach gives us a plan and we try to execute that,” he added.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan will be aiming to make a strong comeback in the second T20I, which is slated to take place on Sunday, July 16.