Match strategy against Sri Lanka : Take a leaf out of Aussie book

[Miraz]

Bangladesh's next match in the Twenty20 World Cup is against Sri Lanka, it's a do or die match for us to stay alive in the competition and to prove that we are not in the super 8 to make up numbers, we belong there.

Todays timid performance not only shows the lack of planning from the batsmen but also highlights the need of a proper coach.

Taking a similar approach won't lead us anywhere. We have nothing to lose against Sri Lanka, a loss is always a loss and there is no use of respectable loss in international cricket. We must try to get 180+ and in that process if we get bundled out for 80, I don't see any harm in that. At least we are showing the positive intent required to survive at this level of cricket.

Australia were embarrassed by Zimbabwe and they came back strongly against England to keep themselves alive in the tournament. They went for all-out attack right from the beginning and the approach paid off. They always put the best batsman up in the order and we must follow it at least in the must win game.

We need a similar approach against Lankans. If we can't surprise them with something different, they will be clinical enough to inflict more painful defeat.

We need couple of changes in the team combination. Nazim, Farhad and Alok should be replaced by Juanid, Zia and Nadif.

We must use the powerplay (first 6 over) to give us the required momentum. To be honest except Aftab and Ashraful no other batsman has the ability to use the power play efficiently. We started well against South Africa because Aftab was there to score freely. Against Sri Lanka we must change the batting order to give Aftab and Ashraful the best opportunity to use the power play and face as many deliveries as possible.

We should go into the match with the following batting order..

1. Junaid
2. Aftab
3. Ashraful
4. Sakib
5. Tamim
6. nadif
7. Mushfiq
8. Mashrafe
9. Zia
10. Razzak
10. Rasel.

We might lose early wickets but it will give us the best shot to post some competitive total. We have to take risk to win, playing like Kitten will not give us any chance to win at International cricket.

About the replacement, we have seen enough of Nazim, Alok and Farhad in the tournament, others should get a chance to prove them and they cannot do anything worse.