Bangladesh Test captain Mominul Haque is not worried of the actions likely to come from the board against him and the national team coaching panel following the two-match Test series against hosts Sri Lanka, set to begin Wednesday.
Decision makers of the Bangladesh Cricket Board has on several occasions hinted that the series against Sri Lanka would be an acid test for Mominul and head coach Russell Domingo.
Team leader for the tour of Sri Lanka and BCB director Khaled Mahmud had informed that he'd keep a close eye on team operations.
The sentiment had come following humiliating defeats in the longest format, first against the West Indies at home in January-February and then in the tour of New Zealand in March.
Bangladesh led by Mominul will lock horns with the Lankans in the first Test at Pallekele International Stadium with the hope of a revival in fortunes.
Though a negative result in the series is being widely talked about, Mominul said he is not concerned.
“I have come to Sri Lanka and we will play as per our plan. I am not concerned of what you have said (actions likely to come from the board). I am more concerned with the game. I think I do not need to think of other things being a professional cricketer,” said Mominul to the media in a virtual press conference Tuesday.
“There is no pressure to be honest on me or the team. We have come here (in Sri Lanka) to win matches. All focus will be on winning matches. Sri Lanka are of course in a better position than us. We did not do well in last two Tests. But like it is always said, you do not think of the past in cricket. We will Inshallah win if we can have our process right and play the five days well,” the left-handed batsman said.
The Bangladesh cricket team reached Kandy Monday afternoon for the two-match Test series against hosts Sri Lanka Cricket.
Posted by Sports Tribune on Monday, 19 April 2021
Speaking of the Pallekele Test, Mominul hinted of going with a pace heavy bowling attack in the first Test.
The 15-member Bangladesh squad for the game involves four pace bowlers.
There is however, argument on Bangladesh’s thought process considering the track record at Pallekele tends to help the spinners more.
“You cannot always guess how the wicket will behave. I can answer this (Wednesday) or the day after but I think pacers will play crucial role in this game. Those who have played before are the most dependable. Abu Jayed, Ebadat (Hossain) and Taskin (Ahmed). I think they are the most dependable off the five-six pacers which we have in the squad. They have been playing reqgularly,” said Mominul.
“We will have a pace heavy bowling attack. The pacers will have competition in this game,” said the diminutive batsman.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic came about, a team’s preparation ahead of a particular series has changed.
Hours spent in the nets both at home or when on away series is now very limited.
Mominul speaking of the preparation pressed on the fact and said, “We have prepared well considering the situation (due to Covid-19). We played a practice game, had a few net sessions including the one (Tuesday). There will different situations when playing for the country which you will have to adapt to both mentally and physically. It is more acceptable to think of doing well in the game than thinking of external factors.”