Coaches talk up fresh start before SL-BAN Super 4s showdown

Bangladesh progressed past the group stage after Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan in their last game. With their win, Sri Lanka too advanced to the Super 4s stage.

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by six wickets in their group stage encounter but that, according to Bangladesh's bowling coach Shaun Tait, is a thing of the past.

"It's a new day. The beauty of these tournaments is that, as you mentioned, the games come quickly. When games keep coming, it's a good chance to forget about the past as much as you can and move on to the next game," Tait told reporters on Friday.

"As we know. The good thing is we can just focus on what we're doing, and I'm sure Sri Lanka will do the same because we know each other fairly well. It's a good contest. Making the final four is a big effort. We move on from that training tonight and then a big clash tomorrow," Tait told reporters on Friday.

"We were watching the game (SL v AFG). I personally saw the last part of the game. I was checking the score before dinner. We watched the game at the hotel. There was a bit of back and forth during the match, keeping us nervous," he said.

 Tait said that he is not too concerned about the schedule as Bangladesh are playing back to back matches against India and Pakistan respectively on September 24 and 25.

"It is what it is; that's the schedule. We train and then play the next day. In the modern game, we have a lot of recovery, data, and strength and conditioning coaches, and it all takes care of itself, so we just do the best we can. I don't look into that too much personally. This is international cricket. Schedules are schedules, and we will get on with it and hopefully play some good cricket," said Tait.

Tait added that he is hoping that Mustafizur Rahman will deliver on the big day and insisted that he enjoys his company as there is not much needed as far as explaining to him is concerned.

"I hope so (Mustafizur delivers), he has played here before and obviously has all the experience. He doesn't really need me to talk to him much about [bowling] involvement," said Tait.

"I think if 'the Fizz' is in an environment where he is happy, he will perform well. My job with him is just to ensure he is happy and confident; he takes care of the rest himself. There is not a lot I can teach him or talk to him about, but I enjoy his company and working with him. He is obviously a big player for our team," he added.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan batting coach Thillina Kandamby said that they are well aware about the strength of their opposition and insisted that they are ready for the spin threat considering Dubai is known to assist slow bowlers.

"I think, starting from Zimbabwe, we had a good preparation before the Asia Cup. When we came here, we decided to go one by one and to keep things very simple. That is the success with the team," said Kandamby.

"Within the last three or four months, we played about four or five games. So we know their strengths and weaknesses, and I am sure that our boys will give a good fight," he said.

"Afghanistan probably have the best spin attack at the moment. But I think we handled it really well because we could not take a lot of chances against Rashid. They managed it really well. Also, it is not the best conditions for the spinners; it is good for the batters, I think. We handled it really well, but going forward, when we go to Dubai, there will be more support for the spinners. We have discussed it, and I think our guys are ready for it," he added.