Mashrafe Mortaza will try and pick heartbroken Bangladesh off the floor so they can salvage some pride in their final World Twenty20 match against New Zealand on Saturday.
New Zealand v Bangladesh World Twenty20 preview
Mashrafe Mortaza has called on Bangladesh to salvage some pride by beating New Zealand after their stunning World Twenty20 defeat to India.
The Tigers needed only two runs with three balls remaining to seal a shock victory over hosts India on Wednesday, but lost three wickets to suffer an astonishing one-run defeat.
Bangladesh have no chance of qualifying from Group 2 as a result of that astonishing loss, but captain Mortaza is eager to bow out with a victory at Eden Gardens against a Black Caps side that have won all three games to reach the last four.
Mortaza said: "I cannot explain the loss in words. I hope the media, the people of our country will continue to support us. It was about a run, it could have gone either way but important thing is to learn from the mistakes so that we do not repeat them again.
"Everyone is upset back home. It was really disappointing to lose. Playing in India, in front of 40,000 people, we could not chase down two off three balls -- which was shocking.
"If we do well [on Saturday], we will have something good to take back home.
"It will be very important. The group was a tough one, we were close in the last game. And in this one, we want to give our best."
SPIN TWINS SANTNER AND SODHI MAKING THEIR MARK
Not many would have predicted Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi to play such a leading role in the tournament, but the New Zealand spinners have been outstanding in the Super 10 stage. Santner has claimed eight wickets, with Sodhi taking five scalps to put the Black Caps through to the last four with a game to spare.
SHAK ATTACK KEY FOR TIGERS
Shakib Al Hasan has made his mark in the Super 10 stage with bat and ball and the all-rounder will be vital to their hopes of securing a consolation victory. Not only will Shakib need to make an impact at the crease, his experience will also be needed to keep spirits up after the misery of losing to India.
GUP AND RUNNING
Martin Guptill set the tone for New Zealand's victory over Pakistan on Tuesday with a brutal 80 from only 48 balls. If the opening batsman continues to fire, then the Black Caps will take some stopping given the quality they possess in the middle order.
OPTA STATS
- New Zealand have won all three T20 matches against Bangladesh.
- While Bangladesh have lost three games in a row, New Zealand have won eight of their last nine.
- The Black Caps have won 87.5 per cent of their T20s this year; the best rate of any side to play that has played four or more matches in the shortest format.
- Only Ravichandran Ashwin (18) has taken more T20 international wickets in India than Shakib Al Hasan's tally of 10.
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