We played the ball, not the bowlers: Joy

DHAKA -Bangladesh young opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy today 
said there batting success lied in trying to play the ball according to its merit, not the bowlers.  

  Bangladesh ended the day three on 401-6, leading New Zealand by 73 runs. 
Against a bowling attack that included Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Kyle 
Jamieson and Neil Wagner-arguably the best bowling attack currently in the 
world, it was a performance to savour.   

  At the same time, there was curiosity what made Bangladesh batters so 
successful against those bowlers, that too on New Zealand soil when world 
best batters found this condition extremely tougher. "We tried to play the 
balls according to its merit, not the bowlers. We know, they are world 
champions in Test cricket but we have the confidence on us," Joy said.   

  Joy who scored 78 in his just second Test and first outside of the country 
said that their plan was to spend time in the crease as long as it is 
possible. He further said he in fact was reminded by all three of his batting 
partners that time spent at the crease would bring him runs.  

  "I planned to play as many balls as possible. I didn't want to focus on 
runs. I knew that I could score runs when I am set at the crease," he said.   

  "I had a good partnership with Shadman Islam and then another good 
partnership followed with Najmul Hossain Shanto. He also told me to be in 
control when I tried to become too aggressive. Mominul bhai told me that  playing a lot of dot balls was not a problem."BSS