The Bangladesh Journal - Ashraful plays down pressure after being nominated vice captain of Bangladesh Cricket Team

UNB, Dhaka: Ace batsman Mohammad Ashraful has said that his new role as vice captain will not create pressure on his batting in the home series against India.

He was talking to the reporters during a practice session of the national team that began at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium Thursday.

"My main job is to perform. I don't think my vice-captaincy will have any negative impact on my performance," he said, adding that he has experience of captaincy in domestic cricket.

The right-hand top order batsman said: "(Habibul) Bashar Bhai will mainly lead the team. I will offer suggestion to my skipper if he needs any."

Ashraful, who scored highest 216 runs in nine matches for Bangladesh averaging 36 in the recently concluded ICC World Cup, said: "The ensuing home series (against India) is very important for us. We beat them in the 1st round of the World Cup and they will definitely try to come back strongly."

Replying to a query, he said that after a good World Cup innings (87) against South Africa he did get a start in the next match against Ireland but couldn't carry his innings. He, however, hoped to perform consistently in the upcoming series.

Replying to another query, the 22-year-old performer said if the entire 11 members of the side could play well, it will be easy to bring a good result.

Asked if he has any intention to register another century in the upcoming ODIs, he said it needs some luck to score a century. "The most important thing is whether as a member of the team can contribute to win matches or not."