Zimbabwe's Taylor gets bowled during the First ODI against Bangladesh. -Cricinfo
Zimbabwean coach Lalchand Rajput said on Tuesday that their top-five need to blaze if they want to achieve success against Bangladesh in the ongoing three-match ODI series.
Visitors are trailing by 1-0 after losing the opening game of the series by 28-run at Dhaka and would be looking forward to change their fortune when they take on the host at Chittagong. Though it is easier said than done as host won five out of six matches they played against them while the other game was abandoned.
"If you look at the last game, we should have batted better. The top five has to take the responsibility and if one batsman gets a big score, I think we will definitely give a run for money,'' Rajput told reporters ahead of the second game against the host at Chittagong.
''I am really happy we gave a good fight in spite of the position. Williams and Jarvis really batted well. Cephas gave a good start but there are areas where we have to work very hard. The key area is the top five,'' he said. ''The senior players have to take responsibility. Masakadza got a hundred in the practice game so hopefully he can convert into the ODIs,'' he said.
"BT is getting starts so hopefully a big score will come. I am sure they also feel they have to get a big score. It is coming, I am sure it is coming very soon,'' he added. Rajput added that he is not too concerned neither for not playing the World Cup nor about their prolonged lean patch that saw him lose 15 successive match on a trot under his guidance.
"It is a long list but in the first eight games we didn't have our players. Now the senior players have returned and we are getting closer but not crossing the line,'' said Rajput. ''South Africa were 100 for 7 in one game but we couldn't win. Even in the T20Is. We are getting it together but the day will come soon that we will cross the line,'' he said.
"It is difficult[ not playing the World Cup] but I am a positive person. We have got to get those positive vibes. You have to try to win any game, irrespective [of participating] in the World Cup. The players are looking forward to win,'' he added.
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