ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2021

October 23, 2021

Russell Domingo

Sharjah Stadium

Bangladesh

Pre Match Media Conference

Q. I imagine you're delighted to finally make it to the Super 12s, but what are the areas you really want to work on that you need to improve after the qualifying round? And at the same time there have been a lot of talks back in the country where BCB president has been giving his, some sort of suggestions towards the team. How do you guys see this team?

RUSSELL DOMINGO: Firstly, I think there's always room for improvement in every department. We know with the bat we haven't quite clicked at 100 percent yet. We know there's a lot of improvement that can take place there, at the start, in the middle and at the death roll inning.

We're looking for general order and improvement with the batting. Pretty happy with the way we've spotted the ball. And we've been pretty good in the field.

Obviously we need to assess conditions more because we're playing under totally different conditions to what we played in Oman. So it's also going to be a big challenge for us.

And the second part, I'm here just to focus on the cricket. I can't be too concerned about what gets said outside of the team about people's opinions, media or whatever. My focus is on my team and making sure my team is prepared well for tomorrow, mentally and physically. That's where my focus is at the moment.

Q. It's clear that most of the players are very shocked at the moment by the criticisms from the different corners. So how difficult is it for you to keep them away from all that stuff?

RUSSELL DOMINGO: When you're playing international cricket, particularly in a country like Bangladesh, where there's so much passion, when things don't go well, there's always going to be criticism when there's passion. And that's a part of international sport. A big part of coaching and management of a team is to make sure they focus on what they can control. There's nothing we can do about what people are writing or what people are saying.

All we can focus is on what we think about our performances, how we evaluate our performances, the areas we feel we need to improve on. That remains our main focus.

As soon as we start worrying about those type of things, it takes the focus away from what we really need to focus on.

We've spoken long and hard about where our focus needs to be. Our focus is very much on cricket and how we prepare for tomorrow's game.

Q. What will be the X factor of tomorrow's match against Sri Lanka?

RUSSELL DOMINGO: We played against Sri Lanka but over the last couple of months. We've had some good contests against them. I know it's a different format but we played well against them in the 50-over series. We had a competitive test series against them. Difficult to say. Difficult to pinpoint one or two players.

I think we've got a well-balanced side. We've got some seriously skillful bowlers and some dangerous batters. We have a world-class order under Shakib. Difficult to pinpoint one or two things.

Obviously these type of conditions can suit us. Sharjah, I suppose, is a little bit more similar to what wickets in Dhaka are like. Hopefully that can assist us in tomorrow's game.

Q. When going with Super 12 with non (indiscernible) countries, like England, Australia South Africa and matches, going to play who have mastered global teams at 2:00. Is it a good opportunity for Bangladesh, your country, Super 12, to qualify semifinals?

RUSSELL DOMINGO: I think the scheduling, the way it's worked, the 2:00 start suits us big time. It takes dew out of the equation. I know a lot of other teams are very focused on the dew. With us playing all our games at 2:00 is not in the equation for us. I think our spinners will come very much into the competition.

We're happy that it's actually worked out that way, that all our games start at 2:00. Regarding the position we play against, we know in a World Cup anybody can beat anybody.

Whether you're in this group or the other group, all those teams are quality teams. So not too (indiscernible) by this group or the other group. I don't think that's an advantage or disadvantage for us.

Q. Considering the stadium, it's pretty small comparing to the other stadiums. How do you guide this team, the spin department can also play a big role, or you can bank on the five bowlers?

RUSSELL DOMINGO: Look, historically Sharjah and others have re-layed the wicket and the scores have come down considerably since the new wicket's been laid.

But for bowlers who hit the wicket always seem to be in the game. I came here with years ago, and I remember (indiscernible) was very effective. The sort of hard length that he bowled, where the ball skids through.

But I think fast bowlers are in the game. Spin is always an opportunity, if you bowl pretty straight, wicket to wicket, Abu Dhabi balls coming to the game.

So shorter boundaries, same both sides. We're not known to be a power hitting side. So that could favour us a lot being able to find the boundary a little easier. That could be an advantage, yes.

Q. There's no leg spinner or wrist spinning on our side. Saw Suranga, leg spinner, he's done a great job. Do you think if Diplo [phonetic] is there, then there could be need for batsmen?

RUSSELL DOMINGO: Diplo is not here. I can't control.

Q. How their batsmen tackle him?

RUSSELL DOMINGO: We've at Diplo it at the start of our campaign. We've been doing a little bit of work. We played against Suranga quite a bit over the last couple of months. So we have an idea what he's capable of.

Q. Do you think like the wicket is similar to Dhaka so is it going to be spin bowling heavy attack tomorrow?

RUSSELL DOMINGO: I haven't looked at the wicket yet. I'm looking at what statistics are saying. I've come straight here. We'll have a look at the wicket later today and make a decision on the team.

Q. How do you prepare Mahedi for each of his roles? Especially when you consider him as -- you said that he's a free player. When you think about him in the top order, how does he prepare and how does he react to these roles and how pleased are you with his bowling in the tournament so far?

RUSSELL DOMINGO: I'm a big fan of Mahedi. I think the most important thing is his character is always up to fulfil any role in the team. Not always easy batting up the order, down the order. Never complains, just gets under it because he's very focused on what the team needs. With the ball, can bowl in the middle and up deck and up front. He's definitely a three-in-one cricket force.

I think the big thing with this preparation is that just he's happy to be doing any particular role and he sees every single role he gets given as a big challenge for him and he takes that on with 100 percent. Very happy with how he's gone about his campaign thus far.

Q. Russell, wanted to ask you about Sohan, the way he's keeping wicket. It doesn't look like his batting, whether he's scoring rounds or not, he seems unaffected. How has that impressed you and about Afif, are we just waiting for one big mark coming up in the Super 12s?

RUSSELL DOMINGO: I think Afif and Sohan will be serious players for Bangladesh in the bat. Sohan is our one big hitter at the back of the innings. Afif, you've got 20 or 30 balls and played really well. And hopefully he can kick on in this particular phase of the campaign.

But they are big players for us. Sohan has been magnificent. I think of the game against Oman, he probably saved us 10 to 12 runs behind the stumps. And that's often the difference in these type of games.

So I've been very pleased with both those players' performance. The runs might (indiscernible) at the moment but what they provide the team with right now remains value.

Q. The wicket is different from the other two. Spinners and pacers bringing well in the surface. Looks like it's easy to score runs in powerplay. After that, it's going very tough. Considering these conditions, what should you game plan? And number two, the spinner Mahesh [phonetic] bowled well in the first round, maybe he's not available due to injury. Is it a bit comfortable for your team?

RUSSELL DOMINGO: Regarding the game strategy, I don't think I can give a game strategy to the media, that's for us keeping to us. Obviously performance in the power play is important. It shows that teams who score most in the powerplay tend to win more games than the other teams.

I think the first six overs with bat and with ball are going to be very important tomorrow. Regarding the finger spinner, I know that he did pick up apparently a side strain. Whether he's playing or not, it's not in our control. Whoever is playing is up to Sri Lanka. But we have to prepare as if both are playing tomorrow.

There's not too much focus on Sri Lanka's makeup of their team. We're very focused on our performance tomorrow.

Q. We have been struggling with our opening pair since a long time. Any plan to change this position?

RUSSELL DOMINGO: Been struggling with?

Q. Opening pair.

RUSSELL DOMINGO: For -- say that again.

Q. We have been struggling with our opening pair since a long time. Do you have any plans to change in this position?

RUSSELL DOMINGO: No.

Q. Coach, Sri Lanka played their last game in Georgia and they just outplayed Netherlands with their bowling attack. They'll play (indiscernible). Sri Lanka had an advantage and will there be ahead of Bangladesh in this match, and considering the wicket of Sharjah, will you go with more spinners?

RUSSELL DOMINGO: I said earlier that I haven't had a look at the wicket yet. We'll announce our side later on this evening or probably tomorrow morning. We know spinners played a role; but like I said earlier, some tall bowlers have also been affected here.

Sri Lanka played a few games here, yes. Whether that's an advantage or not, I'm not sure. I don't think what's happened in the first round counts for much when it comes to the main event now. I think four teams have played one north, so we're all starting from scratch tomorrow.