World Cup is not the end of the world for Mosaddek

Mosaddek Hossain Saikat on Thursday said the World Cup is not the end of the world for him as the all-rounder is gearing up for Bangladesh’s next assignment - three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka. 

Bangladesh had the expectation to advance to the semifinals of the World Cup. But the Tigers failed to fulfill this dream as they returned as the eighth team. Mosaddek believes the World Cup is over and Bangladesh team is now thinking only about their future. 

“If we think too much about the World Cup, it will bring many things in front. But if don’t think it is nothing at all,” Mosaddek on Thursday told the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium during the second day of the practice camp ahead of the Sri Lanka series. 

“A World Cup is not everything in our lives. The end of the World Cup does not mean that everything stopped working. We still have to play cricket. So we have no time to think more about the World Cup or about the results what we attained,” he added.

The 23-year-old all-rounder was one of a few Bangladeshi cricketers who did well in the middle during the biggest cricketing event in England and Wales what ended with the excellence of the hosts- England, who beat New Zealand by the virtue of boundaries after the final and Super Over challenge tied dramatically. 

Mosaddek struck 117 runs in six innings with the classy strike-rate of 106.36. He batted at the lower of the order and usually played on top gear to help the team to post a big total. 

“It was my role to bat aggressively. I tried to perform according to the demand of the team, and I am also doing the same here in the practice camp. I think I have to play the same role in the upcoming Sri Lanka tour,” Mosaddek said. 

“Those who bat at number seven know how tough it is to bat at higher strike-rate. Sometimes you just have to play big shots at this position, and sometimes, you have to play 15 overs. So I am up for any situation,” he further said. 

He also did well as an off-spinner during the World Cup. He bowled 36 overs and took three wickets with an economy rate of 5.97.

Stalwart Shakib Al Hasan is not available in this forthcoming series due to personal reason. His absence might create a chance for Mosaddek to bat a higher place in the order. The right-handed batsman insisted he is also prepared well to respond to any emergency change in the batting line.

“I am a batting-all-rounder and it's my main role in the team. So regardless of the situation, I am upbeat to bat well,” he also told the media. 

Mosaddek believes Bangladesh is the favourite in the upcoming series because of having some experienced guys in the squad. According to the all-rounder, the batting strength of Bangladesh is more than Sri Lanka. 

Bangladesh will fly for the Island nation on July 20. They will face Sri Lanka in the first match of the series on July 26 while the remaining matches will be held on July 28 and 31. 

Before that, the Tigers are gearing up in a three-day practice camp at Sher-e-Bangla under Khaled Mahmud who is expected to be announced as the interim coach of the national team.