Tigers eyeing to make a statement in Pakistan
image: Cricfrenzy
CF Correspondent
Bangladesh national selector Habibul Bashar said on Tuesday that Pakistan tour will be challenging.
Bangladesh national cricket team left Dhaka on Tuesday to take part in the two-match Test series opener against Pakistan, scheduled at Rawalpindi from February 7.
Bangladesh is travelling to Pakistan to play a Test match after a gap of 17 years and will be looking forward to make it memorable by putting some noteworthy performance and get back to business in the longer format considering they had a lean patch in the longer format.
‘’It is definitely very challenging to play in Pakistan. When we went, it ways long before. That Pakistan team is not like this one, and neither our team was the same as this one. Now our team is very strong. Pakistan is a very strong opponent at their home. Recently, we have not done well in last couple of Tests. But now this is a big challenge for us to do something well. Because we could not star the Test Championship well. But this is a big challenge for us to do something well. So this is a big and good opportunity to turn around,’’ said Habibul.
‘’Actually we are our own the threat. See the condition in Pakistan, wickets in Rawalpindi will be little bit bouncy and has good pace. Important thing is we need to adopt to it. The challenge is among us. That is why I am saying it is very challenging. This is not like we have never played against Pakistan before. And not like we never faced such bowling. It completely depends on us how we are facing the challenge. I think what we are doing, that is very important,’’ he said.
Batsman Mohammad Mithun said that they are not thinking about the absence of Shakib al Hasan or Mushfiqur Rahim as he believe if they can stick to their guns something good will happen.
‘’Definitely, the experience Mushfiq and Shakib have and the performance they have shown in last 5-7 years, their absence definitely felt in a team like us. It is hard to cover up their gap. But still, if we can give the best of us, I hope something good will happen,’’ said Mithun, who is expected to fill the gap at the middle-order.
Opener Saif Hasan said that he is expecting something good as they have good preparation.
‘’I hope something good will happen. pray so that we can perform well. The preparation was really good. We have played really good match in a round of BCL. And the preparation was good, McKenzie was there, Cook was there. It was a good preparation overall,’’ said Saif.
‘’Definitely challenging. Though I have returned opening in domestic cricket. so I hope there won’t be much problem. And as soon as I can adapt in the team, it will be good for me and the team,’’ he said.
Pace bowler Ebadat Hossain also looked elated despite the Rawalpindi wicket it known to be a batting friendly wicket as they have taken enough preparation.
‘’As far as I have heard, the wickets in Pakistan are batting friendly. So we have taken the preparation accordingly, if it is batting friendly how we will have to bat, how we will have to attack. We have played a match in BCL, we tried to put the best of us there. And to take a proper preparation. The team we have now, if we can perform well… Tamim, Mominul- they all are in good shape. Others are also in good touch. So I think, if we can perform well, we can beat them,’’ said Ebadat.
