Batting coach Neil McKenzie acknowledges that consistency in selection has empowered Bangladesh, ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup fixture against Sri Lanka in Bristol.

McKenzie joined Bangladesh in July 2018 – and proudly witnessed last week’s World Cup victory over South Africa at The Oval in London. Bangladesh have since lost to England and New Zealand, but remain in contention for a semi-final berth.

‘I think selection has been a lot more consistent. We have to nurture our young players, and when they get the chance, they know they will get a proper run. It is not just one game in, one game out. I think it is through the whole system that has been really good,’ McKenzie told ESPNcricinfo.

‘The selectors are showing the guys that we back them. We trust and believe them. We are not giving them a chance because the journalists are saying that’s the guy who should be making it. The coaches and captain believe in these guys. Batting for your country as a young player is really hard, so you definitely need the backing from everybody.’

The former Proteas cricketer hailed the rise of batsman Liton Das and all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain. The latter is in the squad, but hasn’t yet played a match, while Hossain was named in the XI for the matches against England, South Africa and New Zealand.

‘Liton was in and out, up and down in the Asia Cup. We backed him. He got a good forty. He failed again and then he got an unbelievable hundred in the final,’ added McKenzie.

‘Mosaddek has fantastic hands through the ball. It is just about getting that consistency, wanting to be there when the pressure is on, and wanting to be there for Bangladesh when its needed. I am very pleased with him, I think he has worked really hard. I think his game plans are a little bit more sound, and he comes with a bit of maturity and chance.’

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