Monday 25 November 2024 ,
Monday 25 November 2024 ,
Latest News
9 February, 2017 00:00 00 AM
Print

Mushfiq wants consistency in all departments

‘Hopefully, we can match up with the best side’
Syed Mohammed Pithu, Hyderabad
Mushfiq wants consistency in all departments
Bangladesh’s Shafiul Islam bowls during a practice session on the eve of a Test match against India at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad yesterday. AFP PHOTO

The passion is palpable given its historical value. But it’s not the summit clash with the ranked one side India facing off the ranked ninth side Bangladesh in its first bilateral encounter at home in the cricket’s conventional format.
On paper it’s the ‘Battle of Unequals’ but for Bangladesh it’s a historic moment as they are playing the first Test in Indian soil since their elevation to the cricket’s elite format in 2000.
Ever since Bangladesh played their maiden Test against India, the tour in the Indian shore is in the making. In the last 17 years, every team hosted Bangladesh but for some unknown reasons, India, the neighbouring country, never invited Bangladesh. Commercial values are believed to be the reason.
In the last 17 years, Bangladesh cricket saw a lot of ups and downs and finally they evolved a team to a force to reckon wicket from a team to show occasional flashes of brilliance. But that’s in ODI cricket. When it comes to playing the game wearing whites flannels, Bangladesh haven’t been quite able to replicate their performances in white ball cricket in which they have been different beasts altogether.
That they have managed to lose a match against New Zealand as recently as last month, after scoring nearly 550 in the first innings, shows that even after 17 years in the five—day circuit, they have not been able to decode the winning formula.
But they have proved they were not the team to be an easy prey in the longest format. They are now not the team to loss the game at innings margin. India have been unrelenting on the teams those have visited the country of late. But against Bangladesh, it is not supposed to be easy. Arguably, Bangladesh are carrying the best spin attack among all four teams scheduled to travel India this season. New Zealand were low on spin reserves, and England spinners could not extract similar returns compared to their Indian counterparts. But Bangladesh have a trio of spinners -- Shakib Al Hasan, Mehedi Hasan Miraj, Taijul Islam --with the potential of creating enough pressure on the best of the batsmen.
What Bangladesh need to do to correct problems of inconsistency in batting, prevent them from a batting collapse and wayward fielding. Those factors made Bangladesh tour in New Zealand abysmal, forcing them to come off the one-off Test with low-key confidence.
 “We have to be really specific with what we are trying to do. Hopefully the bowlers can execute our plans and be backed up by our fielders. We are aware of how strong India are on their home soil. Hopefully we can create and grab the chances and take the game to the fifth day,” Bangladesh Test skipper Mushfiqur Rahim said.
Out of the 8 Tests which India and Bangladesh have played so far, the former have won 6. Their previous meeting at Fatullah turned out to be a disappointing affair, as rains played spoilsport in what was Kohli’s first Test after becoming India’s 32nd captain.
Given the stat and recent performance, Mushfiqur Rahim knows how unrealistic it would be to expect a victory against the hosts. But at the same time, he knows, it’s the time to grab the limelight if they want to force the world cricket apex body to give them more Tests.
 “Playing in India is really a great occasion for us. The boys are really excited to be playing against the No 1 team in the world. It is our great opportunity to show character and skills. Hopefully we can match up with the best side,” he pointed out adding, “We have to be switched on for every ball and session. If we do well in most of the sessions, the result can come our way.”
 “We played really well against England. We had individual success in New Zealand although it doesn’t matter at the end of the day. We have been consistent in ODIs and T20s in the last two years but we haven’t done it in Tests. Consistency is key for me. We need to keep momentum with us and stay in the game longer.”
 He urged his batsmen to stand tall and make their innings a bigger one.
 “There’s no room for making 50s, 60s or 70s in Test cricket. I know they have the ability, and I am pretty sure they can play big innings.
 “You can have two big innings but three or four other batsmen also have to chip in. It always helps to get to a big total. Otherwise it becomes difficult for any team.”
 “He bats in a position where he needs support from at least one batsman. We have the tail after him. I don’t think there is any concern about him. It is an opportunity for him to play well here.
 “The wicket is very hard, which is good for batting. The pace bowlers might get early help. The spinners may also get bounce and it might start turning after the second day.
 “The pace bowlers have to go for wickets. I know they can improve upon how they did in New Zealand. There won’t be much of sideways movement here but the nature of the ball says that it will reverse.

Comments

Most Viewed
Digital Edition
Archive
SunMonTueWedThuFri Sat
0102
03040506070809
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930

Copyright © All right reserved.

Editor : M. Shamsur Rahman

Published by the Editor on behalf of Independent Publications Limited at Media Printers, 446/H, Tejgaon I/A, Dhaka-1215.
Editorial, News & Commercial Offices : Beximco Media Complex, 149-150 Tejgaon I/A, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh. GPO Box No. 934, Dhaka-1000.

Editor : M. Shamsur Rahman
Published by the Editor on behalf of Independent Publications Limited at Media Printers, 446/H, Tejgaon I/A, Dhaka-1215.
Editorial, News & Commercial Offices : Beximco Media Complex, 149-150 Tejgaon I/A, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh. GPO Box No. 934, Dhaka-1000.

Disclaimer & Privacy Policy
....................................................
About Us
....................................................
Contact Us
....................................................
Advertisement
....................................................
Subscription

Powered by : Frog Hosting