'Can win if we're at our best'

There is a stark difference in mood between the lead-up to Bangladesh's previous series against Australia and the one about to get underway with the first Test against South Africa at Senwes Park today. 

Bangladesh's home series against the equally mighty Australia started with forecasts of 2-0. It was a forecast that, halfway through the two-match series, was halfway to coming true and there it remained. Yesterday, however, the bluster had departed along with the home comforts the Tigers left behind.

However this was not the wide-eyed, awed Bangladesh team that may have toured here in 2008 when they completed the second pair of innings defeats in the country. Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim was sure of Bangladesh's place in the cricketing world, and while agreeing with counterpart Faf du Plessis's suggestion that Bangladesh will be out to prove their newfound prowess by performing overseas, also issued a reminder that Bangladesh have played well away from home in recent past.

“In the last few years we have been playing so well and consistently at home; this is our next challenge,” Mushfiqur responded when told about Du Plessis's comments at the pre-match press conference yesterday.  “I would say we have not been doing badly in the couple of Tests we played this year. In Sri Lanka we drew the series. In India we were competitive for three days. In New Zealand we were very good in the first Test.

“It's difficult for subcontinent teams because when you are used to playing on slow and low wickets back home and when you are coming abroad to play on bouncy tracks, it is not going to be easy. But I don't think it's going to be too difficult if we can apply ourselves, which we have done in a couple of Test matches against New Zealand, especially in Wellington.

“We are not among the top three teams in world cricket and it's not like that we will go and show everyone, and win the match. We are lower down the ladder. It's a challenge for each of us and we have to represent ourselves differently. We have to give our 200 per cent to win. But we have the ability”, said the Bangladesh captain.  

Perhaps by necessity, the pre-series rhetoric has been toned down, but beneath the modest utterances, there was still confidence to be found. When asked whether beating South Africa will be Bangladesh's biggest ever statement, he said: “I think so; in the last two years we have given big examples [statements]. Many may say that coming to South Africa and beating them is impossible. In truth, I don't think so. If we can play to our best, we can beat any side in the world. We had never beaten Australia or England before even at home, but that happened.” 

Part of the confidence may stem from the pitch at Senwes Park, which Mushfiqur had a good look at before coming to the press conference. 

“It's a different track, looks like it's a bit drier and spin will probably come into play as the days go on. We'll have a look and in our group; we have a couple of good quick bowlers also who can bowl a consistent line and length so we are looking forward to this challenge,” Mushfiqur said when asked about the pitch. 

Coach Chandika Hathurusingha, sitting beside the captain, seemed to be looking at the positives and opportunities of the challenge ahead, perhaps uncharacteristically so for a man known for his conservative utterances in pressers. “If you want to play South Africa then I think this is the best time. They've got a new coach, a few injuries.

“You always try to win, as Mushy said we need to play every session well. If we can continue to play good cricket for long periods, then winning is not out of the card.”

Source: thedailystar