A day after their demoralising four-wicket loss in the only practice match, the Tigers were keen to find avenues that could swiftly take them away from their plight.
Chief among the problems faced is the belief among the batsmen after two rather poor efforts. In the first innings, the Tigers lasted 60.1 overs where most of the top-order found the uneven bounce at the Interfin Bank High Performance Centre ground too hot to handle, a natural welcome from a host who have always been Bangladesh’s closest opponent in cricket.
After the bowlers paved the way through their quick disposal of the Zimbabwe XI, the batsmen again messed up their lines. While the wicket was terrible at times and didn’t provide the batsmen on either side with any comfort, it was too easy a capitultion with only Mushfiqur Rahim and skipper Shakib Al Hasan digging in for the long haul.
Despite the poor batting, the Tigers were expecting another quick fix from the bowlers but now the defeat against the second string side rankles as much as the failure with the bat.
Often, a defeat in a tour game works as a tonic and that is what Shakib, too, believes.
“Nobody will take anything lightly. It is a good thing in this way,” said Shakib at the Harare Sports Club yesterday.
“A loss is never pleasing but it will push everyone to be more serious. Nothing will come easily; they have to work for it. I think that’s how the mentality will be, if it wasn’t up until now,” he added.
Everyone expects a drastic change in pitch conditions at the main Test venue; Shakib though reminded his top-order of their importance. “In Test it is simple; play as big an innings as possible,” he said. “Play the shots but you know, sometimes leaving a ball is also a positive move. If the top-order scores, it’s easier for the other batsmen too.”
It hasn’t been a problem with anyone’s technique but as is the case when adjusting to new conditions, it is the mindset that needs tweaking. The Tigers are just a day away from playing a Test and though it is being played down in the customary “just another game” line, it is definitely the Tigers’ most important Test this year despite it being their first.
Mushfiqur’s batting in the warm-up game would have certainly encouraged Shakib. Despite his low batting position, the wicketkeeper showed pluck after the top-order collapsed in the first innings. His patient 64 has given him confidence despite the travel hassles and the little preparation time in Zimbabwe.
During the official press meet, the Bogra lad said he was excited about returning to Test cricket regardless of the difficulties faced.
“I love playing Test cricket. I think it is the ultimate form of the game where it is a test of your mental and physical skills,” he said. “We did travel for almost two days and then just had a day to train but all that is in the past now. I am sure we are all up for it.”
Mohammad Ashraful, too, was quite excited with the return to Tests. “I think there’s always an opportunity to make a big contribution in this format. It is very different in that regard. You can look at not just hundreds but even bigger than that,” he said.
-With The Daily Star input
