Bangladesh need to adjust to the longer-version of cricket during the forthcoming Bangladesh Cricket League in order to prepare for the home series against Sri Lanka, national skipper Mushfiqur Rahim said on Tuesday. The Bangladesh Cricket Board announced the franchise-based four-day competition, which begins on January 12 at the BKSP, to give the players an opportunity to develop their skills in the longer form of the game.
The move was made hurriedly to help prepare for the forthcoming home series against Sri Lanka, which is scheduled to start on January 27 subject to Sri Lankan government approval.
Sri Lanka is expected to arrive on January 24 to participate in two Test matches, three one-day internationals and two Twenty20s.
‘Mindset is the most important thing,’ Mushfiq said at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium after completing his individual training session on Tuesday.
‘We haven’t played longer-version matches for a long time, so it will definitely help us.’
‘There’s nothing better than match practice.’
‘BCL has the four best teams, which means the level of cricket will be quite good, and competitive.’
Mushfiq added that the Tigers need to emphasise every aspect of their game ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka as they have had a long break from playing in the longer format.
‘We need overall work in our game. We haven’t played Test
cricket for some time now. In terms of batting, we would want the top-order to give us a good start,’ said Mushfiq.
‘The pace bowlers too need some work. There will be enough opportunities to improve these areas in the two matches and the practice sessions afterwards,’ he added.
Mushfiq was particularly concerned with the openers.
‘I hope they can give an input at the top of the order. Sometimes all of the batting line-up doesn’t click so it is important to give a good start.’
‘Tamim [Iqbal] and Bijoy [Anamul Haque] know what to do. Bijoy did well recently, so I am hopeful about them.’
The wicket-keeper batsman
added that the pace bowlers needed to start taking responsibility by picking up wickets, as over-use of the spinners only made them easier to handle.
‘We will look at pace bowling closely [in the BCL],’ said Mushfiq.
‘They have to take at least eight out of the 20 wickets needed to win a Test match.’
‘Otherwise the opponent will be planning well against spin. If they can bowl economically, that would really help us,’ he added.
Bangladesh’s performance during the last tour against Sri Lanka also seemed to have a positive impact on the captain, who said that the Tigers were beginning to grow confident in their own ability.
The Tigers’ drawn first Test at Galle in March last year and some
extra-ordinary individual performances, including Mushfiqur Rahim’s maiden double hundred to become the first Bangladeshi to attain the feat, had transcended all expectations.
‘There isn’t any fear, but they have a good record against us,’ said Musfiq.
‘We are confident after doing well in their conditions.’
‘We now believe that we can do well against them,’ he said, adding that he is looking forward to another year like 2013.
‘We played well in 2013 overall, so this is a good chance to start the new year in a good vein,’ he added.
-With New Age input
