CF Correspondent

Bangladesh Test skipper Shakib al Hasan said that they are not taking Afghanistan for granted in the upcoming one-match Test series, scheduled to begin from September 5-9.

Though Bangladesh is ahead in terms of experience according to Shakib they opposition have certainly got players who can be very dangerous on their day like the way they had been in the shorter formats.  
‘’Challenge is always there. The way they improved, it’s always tough play against them in any format. They have many quality players who can be dangerous for us. We have very good chance as a team. One or two individual performance won’t have a great chance to win. We have to play as team,’’ Shakib told reporters at a function.

‘’Considering the experience, we will be ahead. But he[ Rashid Khan] is a world class bowler. But he played just two Test matches. So they are new (in Test). But we can’t deny that they are proven player, though played in the shorter format. Because they had success in shorter format, it’s not impossible do the same in Test,’’ he said.

‘’We keep a winning mentality before every match. We have the same thing in mind before the match against Afghanistan. I don’t think we won’t change our mentality. We will play to win. We will try our best from our position,’’ he said.

Shakib added that they are well aware about their opposition strength and as a result not really looking forward to make huge-scale changes in the playing XI despite this game is not included as part of the Test championship.

The unavailability of Tamim sure had opened door for others to grab but whether it will filled with an experience campaigner or a new comer is yet to be finalized.

‘’We always talk about the position when there is free room and the positions we are concerned about. After all the discussions, we come to a decision that which player should suit in which position. Then we select,’’ said Shakib.

‘’Giving exposure in not a big matter. Every team plays to win. Whether it’s a big team or small; whether they make room or not, every team goes to play to win without being concerned about these matters,’’ he said.

‘’They will see everything but the main target is to win the match. We will play with the same target. To do that, if we need new recruit, we will do that and if we see seniors have more possibility to perform then they will play,’’ he added.

Shakib added that they are ready to play at any surface and added he is not in a mood to disclose their demand when it comes to wicket in front of the media.

‘’No matter how the wicket will be, we have to play better than them as a team. The team that will play better will win. Obviously there will be some demand regarding and I feel it is better if this remains between the players and the management, its better. It should not be revealed. This is part of planning,’’ said Shakib adding that he is looking forward to work with newly appointed head coach Russell Domingo in the upcoming days.