No 'major changes' to Bangladesh line-up after Scotland defeat - Russell Domingo

Bangladesh will try to have different types of batters together in the middle, and focus on having a better powerplay against Oman, according to coach Russell Domingo. This is the reaction after their six-run defeat against Scotland on Sunday, a result that puts their progress into the main draw in jeopardy, and has drawn the ire of the public and the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

Domingo however put on a sunny disposition during the press conference, brushing aside emotionally loaded questions, and focusing mainly on the cricketing part of his job.

"I am always a fan of having a left-hander and a right-hander in the wicket," Domingo said. "We want to have different types of batters batting at the same time, not similar types of players. We have discussed it in depth. There might not be major changes, but there might be one or two tweaks in the line-up.

"As you have seen in the series against Australia and New Zealand, we have been flexible. It will depend on the situation and the bowlers that are bowling at the time."

Domingo said that that they will make one change against Oman, which will most likely be Mohammad Naim returning in place of Soumya Sarkar. The initial swap, when Soumya replaced Naim, came as a big surprise as Naim had opened in Bangladesh's last 17 T20Is. Soumya was picked because he offered a sixth bowling option, according to Domingo.

But Bangladesh have struggled with their opening pair regardless of whether it is Naim, Soumya or Liton Das, for the majority of the last 12 games. Domingo said that they have to approach the powerplays with greater balance in their strokeplay.

"If you get 35-45 in the first six, it allows you to launch at the backend. We have to address the powerplay a bit better now. We have made a few mistakes, played shots we shouldn't have played, stopped playing those shots we should be playing. So we have to find the right balance between attack and defence in the first six overs," he said.

Domingo said that Bangladesh took Scotland seriously and will take on Oman with a similar mentality too. "We didn't take Scotland lightly. They beat Bangladesh in their last T20I encounter. There was no complacency in yesterday's game. We have to show Oman great respect.

"They are confident. They are playing at home. They have come off a good win. But we can't focus on them. We have to focus on our particular performance, skills and goals."

Domingo urged his players to embrace the pressure of playing in World Cup, even if it means there's extra scrutiny on everything that they do on and off the field.

"There's always massive pressure in World Cups, particularly for a cricket-loving nation like Bangladesh. Every performance is scrutinised, every mistake gets magnified, so players are under pressure. But that's why they play for their country. They have to embrace that pressure, and hopefully it brings the best out of the boys."