As soon as the conclusion of the much-hyped Test series against Australia, Bangladesh once again started their preparation for the next international assignment to be held in South Africa yesterday.

With pacers the likes of Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Rubel Hossain, Kamrul Islam Rabbi and Al Amin Hossain along with wicketkeeper-batsman Nurul Hasan Sohan and spin all-rounder Sunzamul Islam, the fast-bowling coach Courtney Walsh held his first session just one day after the two-match Test series.

The series against the top-ranked African side will be testing place for Tigers’ pace battery how they developed since the last few years. And so, the current mentor of the veteran West Indian started working with them.   

Courtney Walsh has full confident in his disciples as he said that they will cut a good figure on the pace-friendly South African condition.

What accomplishments they earned from Australia series, he said will provide much-needed impetus to them to do well in South Africa.    

“I think it is obviously a disappointment. The boys played a close Test match in Dhaka. Then we went to Chittagong with high confidence. I am sure that boys are very disappointed for their performance,” said Courtney Walsh.

“They have much potential but they could not execute properly. Hopefully they all will fire on next tour in South Africa,” Walsh told reporters after the end of the first practice session, which was held at the Mirpur Indoor Stadium.

When asked about the drubbing in last Test, the fast-bowling coach said that the collapse has not been made for the complacence of the players.        

“I don’t think that was happened for complacence,” Walsh said.

“Boys along with the team were hopeful for winning the Test in Chittgang. But Australia came back well and performed their batsman and bowlers consistently especially Nathan Lyon bowled really well,” he also said.

Mustafiz’s bowling performance was praised by all fronts though he did not show any jaw-dropping performance.  

“Obviously Mustafiz bowled well and had good control in his bowling. I think that will make him confident well. I am happy the way he controlled bowling. He is special talent for Bangladesh,” the 54-year-old coach said of Mustafizur Rahman, who yet to bowl his lethal weapon ‘cutter’ after his surgical operation.

But he gradually sharpened his old deliveries beside his some new bowling variations.