Head coach or no head coach, Bangladesh must play well in Zimbabwe to keep up the momentum they gained in the Asia Cup, skipper Mushfiqur Rahim told reporters on Wednesday.
Mushfiq joined the preliminary camp on Wednesday ahead of the tour that features a tri-series Twenty20 tournament involving Bangladesh, South Africa and hosts Zimbabwe.
Bangladesh in all likelihood will play the tournament under interim coach Shane Jurgensen as the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s plan to appoint a head coach before it is still uncertain.
The BCB high-ups on Wednesday said that that they are still waiting for the response from Englishman Richard Pybus, the first-choice candidate, who reportedly has put several conditions for taking up the charge.
The delay on the part of Pybus raised the chance for Jurgensen, originally the bowling coach of the Tigers, to lead them in a tournament as a full-fledged coach.
Jurgensen also joined the team on Wednesday after ending his holiday and Mushfiq said he had a long meeting with the interim coach before they started their training.
‘As we have done well in the Asia Cup naturally the expectations have gone high,’ Mushfiq told reporters.
‘I think everyone is realising what the expectations are and what we need to do. The responsibility of individual player has also increased.
‘Today [Wednesday] me and Shane discussed for about half an hour and told them what we need to do. We told them – whether there is a head coach or not – our duty is to play good cricket and we have to take our preparations accordingly.
‘Everyone is matured enough and they realise their duty,’ said Mushfiq.
Mushfiq added that playing under the guidance of Jurgensen will not bring much change to the team as many of them are already aware of his coaching method.
‘He has been working with us for one year so he knows very well where we need to work and where we are lacking,’ said Mushfiq.
‘I don’t think we will do very badly if he goes as head coach, neither will we do extremely well under his guidance.
‘It totally depends on us because we have to play on the field. If we can play well
the coach will also be highlighted similarly and if we play badly many people will be disappointed with us.
‘As he had worked with us so it will be quite easy for us to communicate,’ said the skipper.
-With New Age input
