Bangladesh opener Soumya Sarkar lauded Saif Hassan for showing remarkable determination despite battling fever and cold, as the pair’s brilliant opening partnership powered Bangladesh to an ODI series win over West Indies.
The Tigers bounced back after four straight defeats, thanks to a 176-run opening stand between Sarkar (91) and Saif (80) that set the platform for a match-winning total of 296 for 8 on a challenging, spin-friendly pitch.
Saif’s Brave Knock Wins Praise
“He (Saif) batted really well. His shot selections were very good, and whenever he was facing difficulties, he continuously communicated. He was also facing breathing issues. So the way he batted and survived, we should actually give him his credits,” Sarkar told T-Sports.
Saif, who was struggling with fever and cold for three days, expressed gratitude towards his opening partner.
“Dada (Soumya) was helping me a lot today. I have played many times with him, in the A team and for Rangpur, so I always feel comfortable batting with him. Of course, there is regret for missing the century, but the most important thing is that we contributed to the team’s win,” he said.
Sarkar Focused on Team Over Personal Milestones
Sarkar missed out on a century but had no regrets, emphasizing the importance of the team’s success over personal records.
“No, I don’t have any regrets over missing the century. The wicket was tough, but we had a very good partnership. The main thing is that I contributed to the team and we won. That matters more than anything,” he said.
Sarkar ended the series with 140 runs at an average of 46.37 and a strike rate of 77.35, playing a crucial role after the heartbreak of the second ODI loss in a Super Over.
Tackling Spin With Innovation
The turning surface at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium made strike rotation difficult. Sarkar countered it with aggressive shot selection, particularly the reverse sweep, which proved effective against the spinners.
“It feels good to bat on a tough wicket and trust your skills. It wasn’t a huge turner, so the reverse sweep was the best option for me,” he explained.
“I feel like Saif also played this shot once and thought playing reverse sweep against the spin would be better than playing straight.”
Positive Intent Makes the Difference
Saif credited their aggressive mindset as the key to overcoming the spin challenge.
“The wicket was similar to the last two games, but we tried to bat with positive intentions. That made the difference,” Saif said.
Bangladesh’s proactive approach in the decider helped them set a formidable target, eventually sealing a much-needed series victory — one built on grit, trust, and fearless batting from their openers.
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