Bangladesh players are determined to rewrite the history, knowing that there wouldn’t be a better opportunity to beat Australia who are coming with a relatively inexperienced side to play a two-match Test series in October. Even though Bangladesh still looked off-colour in the Test, their stunning rise in the limited over cricket gave them a confidence to do well in the white dress which is why they remained fearless in expressing their desire.
“I don’t think there will be a better opportunity to beat Australia, so we will try to give our 100 per cent and more than hundred percent in the two Tests,” said Bangladesh Test skipper Mushfiqur Rahim. Mushfiqur’s comment came several days after the Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha sensed a genuine chance to stun the Australia. “In 2006, the Australian team that came here was probably their best ever. If the Bangladesh team back then managed to come so close to a victory, at a time when winning was something that the players probably didn’t think of. In fact there were talks about whether Bangladesh would be able to play for four days, then by the grace of God,  the kind of cricket we are playing right now, if we can play to the best of our ability, then a victory is definitely not impossible. Test may be different, but at least our expectations have risen,” he drew the confidence from the past.
The Aussies however yesterday announced the 15-member team for Bangladesh tour, including two uncapped players – Andrew Fekete and Cameron Bancroft. As it was predicted, the two fast bowlers- Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood were rested while seven of the players who are in the squad aged 26 or less. The squad is arguable much shorter on experience than Australia are used to. But regardless of the experience issue, the traditional fighting spirit of the Australian team shouldn’t be forgotten, insisted Mushfiqur. “Although this a young side, it’s an Australian team, we can’t forget that,” he said adding
“It’s not as though only if a young side comes to Bangladesh, will they lose.” “The South African side that played against us was top-class, but they still lost. India’s full side lost to us. The main thing was that we played good and consistent cricket this year and that’s why the wins have come.”
So Mushfiqur’s quest is to keep the consistent cricket and be focused. “Our main target will be to keep the focus that we have kept this year. Now if, we don’t get a result despite playing well, that’s a different issue, but our main target will be to play good and consistent cricket.” There is no wonder that Australian skipper Steven Smith will be the key player whom the Bangladesh would try to neutrilise. With Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers, Brad Haddin, Shane Watson and Ryan Harris retired on or after the recent Ashes tour and a thumb injury during the ODIs in England ruled David Warner out, Australia are forced to form the side with the players like Adam Voges, Glenn Maxwell and some others who weren’t in their original Test cricket plan.
But still they can do much damage as they will look to show their credential. “In these conditions, Smith is there main player and Maxwell is coming back, so it will be a challenging series for him. So we will try to put him under as much pressure as possible and will try to get him out early.” Australian pace bowling attack looked formidable with Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle and Pat Cummins leading the way. But Mushfiqur Rahim thought their spin attack is also effective.
“I won’t say their spin attack is weak. If you see Lyon’s record, I think he ranks in the top three. And against left-handers, he is very effective. We have a few plans against him, hopefully we can execute against him like we did against Imran Tahir. If we can give him less wickets, it will be a bit of a pressure for him,” he pointed out.
As Australia are deemed to be vulnerable against spin in the sub-continent, turning wicket is predicted as a solution to tame them. Mushfiqur Rahim however didn’t disclose what type of wicket it would be during the series. “There is a plan but I don’t want to disclose. No matter what plan we have, we have to play well. They have three spinners in their squad, so a turning wicket is not just a solution. We will try to make a wicket where we can score 400 and also take 20 wickets.”