Bangladesh cricket captain Mushfiqur Rahim on Wednesday said they have improved “individually as well as a team” over the last few years and gave his side a 50-50 chance in the one-off Test against India starting here on Wednesday. Still looking for their first Test win against India, having lost six and drawn one of their seven matches so far, the skipper said Bangladesh will look to showcase their strength and confidence in the game.
“India are (a) good side, but I still think it is a 50-50 game,” Rahim told reporters on the eve of the match at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali stadium on the outskirts of Dhaka. “They have got quality spinners. If our batsman can handle them, I think this will be an exciting Test.” Rahim’s men lock horns with India after trouncing Pakistan 3-0 in ODIs at home in April-May before losing the two-Test series 1-0. A draw against Pakistan in one of the Tests not only raised the profile of the side but also earned them a bit more respect from the opposition teams.
In their previous Test series against Bangladesh in 2010, India won the first match by 113 runs in Chittagong and the second and final game in Dhaka by 10 wickets. “We may have lost both Tests five years ago, but there were some strong individual performances by us. We have improved, both individually and as a team. We are confident that we can give a tough fight,” Rahim said.
Bangladesh, who were quarter-finalists at the recent World Cup, have lost 71 of their 90 Tests since attaining full status in 2000, winning just seven. Rahim said his team should aim for consistency at the Test level. “We have to be more consistent. We play well for two days, but let ourselves down over the next three days. We must now play session by session and ensure we win maximum sessions.” Rahim, who is recovering from a finger injury, said he will wait till the toss before deciding if he play as a specialist batsman alone.
Realistically we should aim for draw: Mortaza
Up against fancied India, Bangladesh’s ODI skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza says the home team should be “realistic” and enter the one-off Test with an aim to achieve a draw. India are currently ranked third in the ICC Test rankings as compared to Bangladesh’s lowly ninth position on the eve of the match.
“(We) have to bat very well. But just batting well does not win Tests, only helps draw them. Wickets and strategies should be built with that in mind,” Mashrafe told bdnews24.Com. “I think a draw will be a pretty good result. I keep saying we might face the opposite consequences if we go for too much in Tests right now. As batting is our strength in Test, we should focus on that.” Mashrafe felt being realistic would be good for the team. “We will definitely play to win. But we have to be realistic. When we will have the sure-fire ability to take 20 wickets, we will plan according to that. “(But) in reality if we can score 450 or 500 and if bowlers can bowl in the right areas to restrict India, we can manage a draw. If that effort creates an opportunity to win, that will be even better.”