Bangladesh middle order batsman Mohammad Mithun has insisted that the Tigers remain desperate to make a strong comeback in the longer version format after losing six consecutive Tests amongst which five came at innings margin.
Bangladesh in fact lost the last three Tests against India and Pakistan by an innings margin, something, which forced them to rethink about their Test strategy, Mithun said.
Bangladesh is now targeting Zimbabwe to end their win-draught in Test cricket when the two teams would play solitary Test, scheduled from February 22 to February 26 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
A full-fledged preparation for the Test has already started even though the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is yet to name the Test squad for the one-off Test.
“We have been in bad phase in Test cricket for a long time. We couldn’t play well as a team. We are now thinking as to how we can comeback from those perennial problems,” Mithun said after the practice session on Saturday.
“This can’t go on for indefinite time. We have to make a turnaround. So we are given definite role to play so that we can make a strong comeback.”
Mithun however made it clear what role a player should play in the coming Test.
“We feel that we should play a specific role because the role of an opener and a No. 7 batsman will never be same. We are devising plan on this issue. We will try our best to execute the plan,” he revealed.
Mithun was the only successful batsman in Bangladesh’s first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi with a score of 63 in the first innings.
“All of us are determined to fulfill our role. If we can individually fulfill our role, the team will do well,” he remarked.
Most of the national players are given rest from the third and final round of Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL), which is being held now.
Mithun said the difference of domestic and International cricket is huge and so it is tough to do well in International cricket despite performing well in country’s league cricket.
“The difference is wide and huge. The standard of bowling in domestic cricket and International cricket, you know, is huge. So doing well in domestic cricket won’t give you the guarantee of doing well in International cricket,” he informed.
He stressed upon the requirements of enhancing their mental toughness and skill in a bid to do well in the International cricket.
“It is important to enhance the mental fitness and hone the skill more. We are now giving importance on those aspects. Everybody is trying and hopefully you people will see the result very soon,” he concluded.
