Following Bangladesh’s nail-biting loss to West Indies in the second ODI, Soumya Sarkar voiced strong support for Mustafizur Rahman, who bowled the decisive Super Over.
“I think Mustafiz should have bowled all ten overs,” Soumya said during the post-match press conference. “On a pitch like this, he is the best pacer in the world. If anyone could have done it, it was Mustafiz. On this kind of wicket, he is the best.”
The match, which ended in a tie after 50 overs, saw Bangladesh post 213 runs, thanks in part to a late 39 not out off 14 balls from Rishad Hossain. West Indies matched the total, with Shai Hope anchoring their innings with an unbeaten 53. The Caribbean side eventually edged the Super Over by a single run.
Reflecting on the pressure ahead of the final game of the series, Soumya admitted, “If we had won today, the pressure would have been released. Now we must win the last match. We have to plan accordingly.”
Soumya also commented on the West Indies batting depth at the death. “They had no real tail-enders left, only Shai Hope. That gave them an advantage.”
On the pitch and conditions, Soumya said, “I have come back after a long time. The wicket is not in our hands. We have to play in whatever situation we are given. The wicket clearly favoured spin, that is the main reason we played more spinners.”
He added, “Weather and pitch are not up to us. We do not worry about these things. We try to adapt to whatever we are given.”
Looking ahead, Soumya remains optimistic. “There are many series still to come. If we can win those, then of course we will play in the World Cup.”
