||CF Correspondent||

Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah said on Wednesday that he is looking forward to the ones who will be replacing Shakib al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim in the playing XI against New Zealand in the three-match series opener at Hamilton.

While Shakib al Hasan did not travel with the team due to his finger injury the visitors got a big blow as Mushfiqur Rahim’s wrist injury ruled him out for the opening Test.

“He[ Mushfiqur] is getting better. But perhaps we are not getting him in the first match,’’ said Mahmudullah.

“Along with Mushfiqur, Shakib Al Hasan is also an integral part of our team. It is really tough to set our best combination without them,’’ he said.

“I hope who are getting chances to replace them will perform well and grab those chances,’’ he added. Mahmudullah added that they are not taking their past overseas performance into consideration that is somewhat quite dull to the dominance at home and just preparing them mentally to take up the challenge against the Kiwis.

Bangladesh, who are yet to win any Test against New Zealand at their own den, will play a three-match Test series against them beginning at Hamilton from February 28. “How we are performing in overseas condition is always a challenge for us. Everyone doubts on whether we can win an overseas Test or not,’’ said Mahmudullah.

“But I can assure you as a captain and on player’s behalf that we are not thinking on that line. We will take inspiration from the recent past and motivate ourselves. We want to play according to our strength like the way they [New Zealand] are performing,’’ he said.

“We know how the condition can behave, and we also have ideas about their bowlers. But how we are going to execute our plans depend on us,’’ he said. “We know the condition won’t be favourable and there will be swing all around and we need to be mentally strong to perform in such condition,’’ he added.

Mahmudullah added that they are looking forward to the pace unit to do the trick for them in the opening Test against New Zealand as he believes if they can bowl according to their plan they can always give the host a run for their money.