Bangladesh senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin said he was pleased with the way their middle-order is performing in the shorter format.

Bangladesh are trying to settle their middle-order with Towhid Hridoy, Parvez Hossain Emon and Shamim Patowary after experimenting with several combinations since some seasoned campaigners moved on. The trio delivered in the first T20I against New Zealand, helping Bangladesh register their highest successful chase in T20Is.

"Actually in Chattogram we always believe that in the last 10 overs, chasing 100 runs is easier, because ball comes on nicely to the bat, and we need one or two big overs. At the halfway stage, we were thinking maybe we were 10 runs short. Thanks to Hridoy, Shamim, Emon - the way they batted, made it very easy. But I feel the way we play in the middle overs, I feel that's our most improved part of the side," Salahuddin said.

"Before, we always used to look a little bit cautious when we lose two or three wickets, this time I feel they played more bravely, they played shots. That is the most improved thing I feel," he said.

"We've been trying to build this team for last one year as we have lost a few experienced players from the side, some new ones came in, we actually gave them a lot of freedom, they actually tried to take the responsibility. I feel day by day they are improving, they are getting matured. We back them a lot of times. I feel that's why they are more comfortable in their position.

"Step by step we are trying to improve our batting, so that's why I feel our T20 team is looking good," he said.

Salahuddin added that Bangladesh are leaking runs in the first 10 overs and need to sharpen their fielding ahead of the second game of the three-match series in Chattogram on April 29, which could be affected by rain as per the forecast.

"I feel in the last couple of T20 matches, we did not do well in the first 10 overs. We always give runs in the first 10 overs, I feel we need to improve on that. We always come back strongly, that's a good sign for us," Salahuddin said.

"I feel that our fielding needs to improve, they are all young guys and can run fast, they are better fielders. We need to show that we are good fielders, that's the one thing I think we need to improve," he said.

The final game of the series is scheduled at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on May 2.