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Despite clinching the first-ever overseas series against Kenya, the nightmare of losing the series against Zimbabwe still haunts the national cricketers with frustration among them clearly visible on their arrival home from Africa, reports BDNEWS.
"It would have been a pleasure if we had clinched the series against Zimbabwe, but we couldn't do it," stand-in-captain Khaled Mashud told reporters at the Zia International Airport Friday.
Bangladesh, which went to Africa on a quest to clinch both series in Zimbabwe and Kenya as the favourite team, lost the five-match ODI series 2-3 to Zimbabwe, while it whitewashed Kenya in the three-match ODI series.
Injured skipper Habibul Bashar Sumon and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) CEO Mahmudur Rahman received the winning team with flowers.
Mashud was, however, satisfied with the overall results against Zimbabwe and Kenya.
"It was a memorable tour for us as we clinched a series abroad for the first time," Mahsud said, "Except Mashrafee's one over against Zimbabwe in the third ODI, our overall performance was good in both the series."
Bangladesh went down 2-1 losing the third ODI against Zimbabwe after Mashrafee conceded 18 runs in the final over to award Zimbabwe a nerve-wracking victory.
The wicketkeeper-cum-skipper said, "We suffered a bit of a problem against Zimbabwe due to run-drought from the top order batsmen and it might have happened because of Zimbabwe's chilly weather, as in the month of February in Bangladesh, but the bowlers bowled very well to make up the batting lapses."
Coach Dav Whatmore was also happy with team's overall performance in what was seen as an African safari.
"On the score line, the Zimbabwe phase wasn't very successful, but there were some positive things. Now I am very, very pleased to see all that," said Australian born Sri Lankan coach Whatmore.
He listed the positives points as bowlers bowling very well, and fielders, including three debutantes, fielding well. Two of the debutantes played a number of matches and were seen as future of the team.
After completing the African safari, Whatmore is looking forward to the ICC Champions Trophy in October-November in India.
"We have a reasonable chance to do well and qualify for the finals in the ICC Champions Trophy. That is now our main objective and we have to work hard," expressed Whatmore.
Bangladesh will play Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe in the ICC Champions Trophy Qualifier from October 7 to 15 and two top teams will join the eight-team finals from October 15 to November 5.
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