Dunedin ODI is effectively our last match before World Cup: Mortaza

"We are expecting a very good batting track [in Dunedin]" - Mortaza. © AFP

Citing lack of adjustment is nothing less than an excuse, Bangladesh ODI skipper Mashrafe Mortaza has said after losing the three-match ODI series with successive defeats in the opening two games.

New Zealand defeated Bangladesh by eight wickets in both the games to clinch the series with one game to go as the visitors' batting unit continued to struggle against a disciplined New Zealand attack.

"Napier [where the series opener was played] was a solid wicket to bat on, maybe adjusting to it takes a bit of time but all those things count as an excuse when you lose by 2-0,'' Mortaza told reporters ahead of the third match at Dunedin. "Hopefully we will come up with some good things tomorrow, when our top order can bat well, letting our middle-order exposed at the end instead."

Mortaza added that Bangladesh are expecting a good batting track in the last ODI and urged his batsmen to make the most out of it, as that would help them gain confidence ahead of the tour of Ireland followed by the World Cup.

"As far as I know, New Zealand played against England and they scored 340 while New Zealand chased it down in 45 overs. So we are expecting a very good batting track and hopefully we will think about it and plan accordingly.

"In Ireland we will be going with the World Cup team, so maybe this is the last match before the World Cup. I think there is nothing much to change and these guys are experienced enough to do well. Things did not happen the way we wanted to [on this tour] but let's see, there is still a game left to get some confidence going into the Ireland and World Cup."

Mortaza said that though they defeated New Zealand in Ireland and in the Champions Trophy, they are always a tough side while playing at home. "Obviously if you see the last time in Ireland, we played against New Zealand and won those matches and going into the Champions Trophy again we beat them, so it was a nice feeling. Again we want to do it but it is going to be difficult in this part of the world. The good thing is that wicket will be very good and hopefully we play well."