Domingo urges Bangladesh fielders to build confidence, learn from mistakes

Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo has stressed that his players need to build some confidence when it comes to fielding to be on top in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh's fielding came under scrutiny during their tour of New Zealand where they suffered series defeats in both the ODI and T20I series. One of the major issues on that tour were the dropped catches and the trend continued in the two-Test series in Sri Lanka. "I don't think there's anything that you can do differently as a coach. Fielding is all about confidence. The more you talk about it, the harder it becomes," Domingo said. "We can highlight some of our great fielding performances and focus on those, and try to take positives about those performances We have taken some good catches and run-outs, but we have to do it in a more consistent basis. We have to try and not to focus too much on the mistakes.

"Some teams have great fielders, some have average fielders. It is about getting the right guys in the right positions a lot of the times. Confidence is a big thing in a fielding unit. We have to get ourselves in a good mental space in this series. We have to believe that we are a good fielding side and can field well under pressure."

Domingo also put the onus on the young players to seal their spot in the side. "I think we are trying to find someone that can slot into the No 7 role - a batter who can offer a spin-bowling option. There's Afif and Mosaddek while we have floated with the idea of Soumya being down there," he pointed out. "Mosaddek is competing for a spot in the lower middle order. Someone who can finish games, good fielder - a good package who can bat and bowl.

"Six months ahead of the World Cup, we have to know what our batting line-up is going to be. Whilst winning is very important in these series where points are up for grabs, it also allows you to finalise what batting line-up you will have in two years' time. We have to be smart in playing what we think is our best team all the time, but we also need to find opportunities for fringe players to see how they go. The pandemic allows you to have a big squad which allows to look at guys in training and warm-up games. We have an intention of carrying all-rounders with us, so that we can make sure that we have the right guys in the World Cup.

"It is tricky. It is a balancing act. Winning right now is always important but we also got to have one eye on the future. Sometimes you need to be a little bit aware of that, and not always just focus on the past. We have to look forward as well. This is an important series and points are up for grabs. The development of the team going forward is equally important. Maybe in two years time, we don't have Shakib or Tamim or Riyad or Mushfiq available. We have to make sure that you develop some other players who can step into their boots."

Bangladesh have failed to win a match across formats in their last ten matches and Domingo conceded they are going through a lean patch. "We have gone through a lean period of results. But we have to learn from the mistakes from the last couple of months," he acknowledged. "There's no point focusing on the past. We have to look forward. If we play to our potential in tomorrow's game, we can give ourselves a chance of winning. We can't always control the result but we can control the way we prepare, our mindset and our thinking.

"As a coach, I think it is important that you stick to your principles, beliefs and try to do the right thing. I am trying to do the best of my ability. In terms of players in international cricket, there's always pressure - media scrutiny, personal pressure, from family, friends and peers. It is easy to say go out there and play, but it is not schoolboy cricket. Players are very serious when they are representing their country. As coaches, you try to take that pressure away from the players. Prepare them well. Make sure their minds are clear.

With Mahmudullah recovering from his back injury, Bangladesh now have the luxury to play three pacers with Afif Hossain chipping in a few overs as well. "Three seamers is definitely an option going into tomorrow's game. Shakib back and Riyad being able to bowl, it provides us with good spinning options," he said.

"I think these are two evenly matched sides. I suppose home ground advantage being quite a big factor in international cricket, we always start as favourites. We cannot underestimate Sri Lanka. They have some seriously good players who will be keen to prove a point."