Imrul Kayes explains why batting at No. 3 is more difficult ahead of Australia, South Africa series

Kayes, who played most of his matches as opener, has recently been given the important No. 3 position to bat.

The Australia and South Africa series are the ones Bangladesh are excited about. It is a great opportunity for the team to grow. Just like his teammates, Imrul Kayes is also looking forward to make the most out of the opportunities ahead. However, Kayes has recently said that he feels very confident to play against Australia and South Africa’s famed pace attack and that he relies on his experience against them. Kayes, who played most of his matches as opener, has recently been given the important No. 3 position to bat at and the batsman also spoke about it, calling it a tougher position to bat at. READ: Bangladesh confident ahead of Australia series, says Shakib Al Hasan

“I have been playing international cricket for the last seven to eight years. I have played against South Africa and England as well. They also have the best pace attack. I survived against them, so I don’t think it will be difficult for me; I think I can play against the Aussie pace attack as well,” Kayes told Cricbuzz about facing the pacers.  He also said his experience as an opener has helped him face the new ball with more efficiency. “There are both benefits and difficulties in facing the new ball. Bowlers don’t know about the strengths of a batsman, batsmen also don’t know what the bowlers can do. But when you bat at number three, bowlers become cautious and they control their line and length by the time,” he said.

“I think it is more difficult to bat at number three than playing as an opener. But I have to adjust with that. I batted at number three in the last Test match I played in Sri Lanka. I have talked with the coach and he told me to bat at number three. I have been batting in the nets keeping that in mind,” he said about the change in his batting position.

“I think the team management has a plan and that’s why I am at number three. Soumya has done a lot better at the opening position in the last few matches,” he added.

“I become very impatient to go to the field when I pad up for batting in the dressing room. Eventually, I have to adjust. If you tell Tamim to do similar kind of stuff, he won’t be able to do that. Once I could not do that, but I have to do it now for the sake of team’s requirement. I have to do whatever the team wants from me. I feel that I can bat in both positions either in number three or as an opener; I am ready to accept it,” he concluded.

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