We are still optimistic: Rhodes
Photo - Cricfrenzy
||CF Correspondent||
Bangladesh head coach Steve Rhodes said that they need to address their batting failure in the longer formats but insisted they can still re-write their name in the record books.
Bangladesh, who had previously made the highest successful chase of 215 runs against West Indies in 2009 in the fourth innings, need their batsmen to step up to win the opening Test against Zimbabwe, who took an overall lead of 320 runs.
Taking their batting failure into account in the recent past when they have scored below 200 runs in seven successive innings, the hosts will have to put up historic rearguard effort.
“I think the dressing room is quietly confident. They recognize that we have to reach the highest score in the game, which doesn’t happen often. We certainly are ready for batting a bit better in the second innings. I was very pleased with Imrul and Liton for providing a bit of a platform. We have to go again tomorrow,” Rhodes told reporters after the third day's play.
“Today we set a task to win the game, believe it or not, by winning five sessions. The first one was a bit of a draw and I felt it wasn’t a great start for us today. We won the second two. We are on the way, and the plan will be to try and win those sessions tomorrow. The good thing is, it is not a raging turner. It is not turning every ball. The odd ball turns. As long as you don’t let that worry you too much, you can certainly play against spin on that wicket.
“Today Liton and Imrul showed that they were very capable against two bowlers who did very well in the first innings. If you can get through those bowlers, there are definitely ways of scoring those runs. We are looking at a couple of very good partnerships. If we can achieve it, we can win the game. Chasing a score that is the highest score in the game is very difficult but it is achievable,” said Rhodes.
