“I always dream big. I dream of becoming champions. It’s my personal thinking, I like to dream big,” Soumya said in a video posted on social media by the BCB today.

More than a year into his contract, Hathurusingha got to see both sides of the coin. In 2023, Bangladesh whitewashed defending champions England, and Afghanistan won a series against Ireland at home and claimed their maiden T20I win over New Zealand in the BlackCaps’ backyard. But less than a year since enjoying their best ever run in the shortest format, the Tigers spiralled down to their lowest point, displaying a severe lack of continuity.

A show of ‘Power’ had been missing in ‘Powerplays’ for Bangladesh in the past editions of the T20 World Cups, as batters have more often than not failed to make use of the field restrictions in the first six overs -- a handicap that has hindered the team’s fortunes in the competition.

The scepticism and queries over the team’s preparation were not at all surprising, considering how poorly the Tigers have fared in the last two T20 World Cups -- only winning over low-ranked Netherlands and Zimbabwe in 2022 while suffering a humiliating loss to Scotland the year before in the previous edition.

Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar and Mustafizur Rahman were called up for the last two Twenty20 Internationals against Zimbabwe, which will be played in Mirpur on May 10 and 12.

Meanwhile, Sujon asserted that the new selection panel has created a balanced team with the preparatory squad.

Soumya won't be able to bat in the Bangladesh chase and the management has named Tanzid Hasan Tamim as his concussion substitute.

Soumya, a batter who is known for his inconsistency, becoming the fastest to reach 2000 ODI runs in the country highlights the subpar standard of Bangladesh cricket

Coach Hathurusingha said, “It’s not about this pair but correcting what we have done wrong in the past. 

Bangladesh have not had a stable opening pair in a while. Even looking at the records over the last two years, there have been 13 different opening pairs turning up for the Tigers. The need for a stable opening stand has been felt, especially as taking advantage of field restrictions is paramount to success in the shortest format of the game.

Bangladesh opener Soumya Sarkar said that he was confident that he had not edged the ball, clarifying why he never hesitated to review his initial caught-behind decision during the Tigers’ second T20I against Sri Lanka in Sylhet yesterday.

Bangladesh opener Soumya Sarkar showed glimpses of return to form in the second and third ODIs of the three-match series against New Zealand, but could not finish things off for his side due to a bizarre issue.   

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said he would like to see more team effort rather than one or two individual performances in order to avoid another white-ball series whitewash against New Zealand.

Where would Soumya Sarkar be in the next game had he made another poor score, not the 169, against New Zealand in Nelson yesterday? That is the poignant question involving Bangladesh's cricket, viewed through Soumya as the prism.

A superb 169 off 151 balls from opener Soumya Sarkar was not enough to end Bangladesh's miserable ODI streak in New Zealand, where they have now lost all of their 18 previous 50-over matches against the Black Caps

The win in Nelson gives New Zealand an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series after their 44-run win in the first game on Sunday. The third and final ODI will be played in Napier on Saturday.

Soumya Sarkar's career-best 169 helped Bangladesh post 291 all out in 49.5 overs in their second ODI against New Zealand at Saxton Oval in Nelson today.

Soumya Sarkar's record-breaking ton went in vain as New Zealand won the second ODI by seven wickets

"Bangladesh teams for the last 15 years were used to having Shakib. We are finding it hard to make a combination [without him]."

Following a 44-run defeat (via DLS) in a rain-curtailed first ODI, Bangladesh will be eyeing to come up with a different approach and must look to form a well-balanced playing eleven in order to save the series when they take on New Zealand in the second ODI of the three-match series at Saxton Oval in Nelson on Wednesday.