There has been something missing in the Tigers’ tent this time. It may be a lack of self-belief. Prior to all their previous home series, regardless of the opposition’s strength, Bangladesh have never looked as submerged as they do now in the early exchanges of the home challenge against an in-form Pakistan team. It seems that nobody in the team believes that they can beat Pakistan or even compete, especiallyagainst the tourists’ versatile bowling attack.
The heavy defeat in the one-off T20 match would have only compounded the fear factor. Now only an impressive show can change the whole complexion but to do that Mushfiqur Rahim’s men must give their best in the middle and show that they have the skill to handle a quality bowling attack when they start the one-day campaign with today’s first day-night match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
In truth, this is a tough test for the Bangladesh batters. Without any doubt their technique and temperament will be put under the microscope during the series. Everyone will be looking on intently to see how the vulnerable opening pair and the uncertain middle-order handle the sublime bowling attack and how the local bowlers take on the challenge against a strong Pakistan batting line-up.
When it comes to issues of skill as it seems to have against Pakistan, there are no short-term remedies. What well-wishers of the team should be looking for is the Tigers trying their utmost with the tools at their disposal.
This reality was reflected when Bangladesh coach Stuart Law talked about his team’s chances of competing in the series at the pre-match press conference in Mirpur yesterday.
“It’s going to be tough. They had a very good series win against Sri Lanka and the Lankans have got some great players in their line up. We know that we have to play very good cricket to beat Pakistan. But we can’t think this way. We should be thinking that we should put scores up on the board and defend totals and fight them the way we really need to. Pakistan are a world class team. If we can start emulating them then that would be really good,” stated the Australian.
The Bangladesh coach emphasised on the basics because he knows without that his charges simply cannot survive against their mighty opponents.
“We can win a couple. We are not here to lose and not here to go into the series thinking that we can’t compete. We are into the series putting our plans together and if we can stick to the plans and play good cricket, anything is possible. And if we can stick to the basics, we play good cricket,” he said when asked whether his team expect at least one win in the series like on previous occasions.
After the defeat in the T20 match, the wicket in Mirpur became a point of discussion but Law said: “You can’t say it was difficult to bat on as I think we should start to learn to play on these sorts of wickets. We have to be able to score runs under difficult conditions to be able to beat good teams around the world.”
Showering praises on all-rounder Nasir Hossain, the Bangladesh coach wanted more from the young players when the opportunities come their way.
“When players of Tamim’s quality or Shakib’s quality are not available in the team someone has to put their hand up and say I want to perform at the international level. It’s an opportunity for them. You can’t rely on the same players all the time; it puts them under immense pressure. You need young guys coming through. Nasir Hossain is one of them. He showed his skill in being 30 odd not out,” said Law when asked about Tamim’s last moment withdrawal from the playing eleven in the T20 match.
Since elevated into the elite club in 2000, Bangladesh have defeated all the Test playing nations in the limited-overs game except Pakistan, who lost only game against the Tigers during the 1999 World Cup in Northampton.
Against this Pakistan side, Bangladesh needs to do something special if they want to break the jinx.
-With The Daily Star input
