ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2021

November 3, 2021

Rangana Herath

Dubai International Stadium

Bangladesh

Pre Match Media Conference

Q. How do you assess Mahedi Hasan's performance in the World Cup? And Mohammad Islam, the leg spinner, why was he sent home so early? And what is his situation like? Do you think that he can make it into the team back?

RANGANA HERATH: Like with regard to Mahedi. I'm pleased with his performance throughout this World Cup and earlier previous tournaments as well.

So now he's become a No. 9 bowler for the T20 format. So that means he has done well and with a different note that he's very keen to learn at the same time so he can read the game very well. So in that case I'm pleased with his performance at the moment.

For the second one, actually, BP [phonetic], the management decided that there's three spinners, including Shakib, Mehidy and Nasum. What they think that with this condition, they also thought like this is the best combination. But I'm sure for the next tour against Pakistan or there are a few coming up so I'm sure that BP will join with the team next tour.

Q. You are a proud member of the Sri Lankan World Cup winning team in 2014. So how disappointing is it to be part of this Bangladesh team this time. And number two, you saw Bangladesh in 2014 World Cup in their own backyard. So do you find any real difference within this seven years?

RANGANA HERATH: The first one, like you said, in 2014 that we won the T20 World Cup, which is kind of a remarkable achievement for us as a Sri Lankan and as a member of the team.

So you know winning a World Cup, it's a different feeling. It's a different satisfaction.

As a country we have won 1996 World Cup. At the same time that we've become a three, four final events as well. But at the 2014 World Cup, which is very good for me and unforgettable, I would say that unforgettable memories. So, yeah.

Q. How disappointing is it to be a part of this Bangladesh team this time? How disappointing is it for you to be a part of this Bangladesh team this time losing almost every matches?

RANGANA HERATH: So as you said we haven't had a good outing so far in this World Cup, but you know this is part of the game. Only thing that we need to look at that how we can improve and how we can do well as a team, as an individual.

So this is the challenge we have as a group, as a coaching group. So I'm sure, which I noticed, which I can believe that these guys capable of doing kind of a good performance.

But still I have -- we have another one game to go. So I'm sure that guys will do their best because we need to get ready for the next tours against Pakistan and New Zealand as well. So the only thing we need to get that winning combination and the confidence and we need to think about the way forward of Bangladesh cricket.

Q. How do you feel about the conditions in UAE, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are different especially with just spinning on the first bowl?

RANGANA HERATH: Are you talking about the surface?

Q. Yes. Surface or pitches.

RANGANA HERATH: Which I noticed just before the World Cup that we are playing this World Cup after the IPL, we all knew that there are some assistance for the spinners during this World Cup. You can see a lot of spinners are doing well especially Rashid Khan, Adil Rashid, Wanindu Hasranga, and for us as well, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasum and Mahedi.

In that case, what I feel always in a different situation like the World Cup especially playing in subcontinental. We have assessed spinner as a unit, so there's some assistance.

I'm sure in Dubai tomorrow as well against Australia I'm sure there's some assistance for the spinners.

Q. Do you feel that we need a leg spinner in this World Cup in our squad that India have a leg spinner and they played in this World Cup? Do you feel that we need a leg spinner in this World Cup in our squad?

RANGANA HERATH: You're talking about the right-arm leg spinners?

Q. Need a leg spinner who played two match.

RANGANA HERATH: As I said earlier, there are a lot of spinners have been doing well, like Wanindu Hasranga, Shami and Adil Rashid and Rashid Khan as well. So even think about the IPL as well, there are spinners has been doing well.

In that case, especially with the three spinners, which I noticed that they have been doing well so far this tournament actually.

Q. Bangladesh couldn't win a game in Super 12 level. What's the lacking of the Bangladesh team why they can't win the game and they can't compete in the top level, what is the lacking? Can you explain the things?

RANGANA HERATH: First thing we need to appreciate that Bangladesh team has qualified for the Super 12. So unfortunately we played very well against Sri Lanka. So unfortunately we lost that game.

So in that case what I noticed that with all the departments, batting, bowling and fielding always there's something to be improved. That's why we need to work on it.

As I said earlier, there are a lot to work on. So we as a coaching unit so we need to look after those challenges, actually.

Q. You were part of the great Sri Lanka team over the years. You played with the likes of Kumar and some other legends. I know you can't find likes of Kumar (indiscernible) but as far as the professionalism is concerned, how can Bangladesh players and Bangladesh cricket actually approach that professionalism and go that far?

RANGANA HERATH: The first thing is, as a cricketer, always there's a playing for your country, playing for your country. There's always pride and responsibility.

The first thing we all should understand that what are the responsibilities and what are the roles. So in that case, whether you're playing for Sri Lanka or playing for Bangladesh, the first thing you need to understand about your strength and what kind of a role you're going to play.

So in that case, if you can identify that role and day-by-day how you can improve. So those are the challenges have cricketers in terms of getting better.

Like you need to think about -- you need to be a good cricketer or you need to become a great cricketer. So in that case so you need to be more professional. At the same time you need to work hard and you need to challenge yourself. In that case I'm sure so you can improve with individual as well as a team.

Q. Your next mission is Pakistan series in their home ground. After the World Cup, what is your plan for the next series? I'm asking about the condition actually. Are you going to play in the same condition like Australia, New Zealand or will there be something different?

RANGANA HERATH: It's all depending on where we are going to play. And I'm sure that we need to expect kind of a good pitches. So kind of equal run.

So in that case so you are giving yourself a chance, the batters and bowlers. So in that case we're looking to have good pitches, that form, actually.

Q. Bangladesh lost the last game very badly. So what is preparation for the team against Australia in the next match?

RANGANA HERATH: As I said, as a professional, we need to come back strongly. The thing is we have another one game to go. So in that case we need to keep that, maintain that winning mindset and we need to build that winning confidence.

So in that case we need to think about the way forward of Bangladesh cricket. So we have another chance to win against Australia tomorrow. So I'm sure that the guys will analyse what they have done and what they have to do. Those are the things.

I'm sure those guys will come back strong tomorrow against Australia.

Q. How do you see (indiscernible)?

RANGANA HERATH: I think as I discussed earlier, as I mentioned earlier, like a lot of spinners have been doing well at this tournament. So I'm sure BP definitely will join with the next few tours. So I'm sure that with the combination he will get opportunity to play for Bangladesh.