The only advice national selector Habibul Bashar has for the cricketers is to enjoy the game in the Caribbean. Former skipper Bashar, who is also the manager of Bangladesh in their upcoming tour of the West Indies, believes a positive result is possible when the team start enjoying its cricket besides being responsible.
As the captain of Bangladesh in their maiden tour of the islands in 2004 and also during the 2007 ICC World Cup that was hosted by the West Indies, Bashar holds valuable expertise on the local conditions and also the venues.
“There is always a message for the team. However, I think it will not be anything special this time,” Bashar told Dhaka Tribune yesterday. “People love their cricket in the Caribbean. Most of the players have played in the islands and I believe they know what is to be done or not. I think the players will do fine if they start enjoying the game besides being responsible. They also have to handle the pressure of contributing for the team. First thing I will want as a manager is for them to remain in their best health and then enjoy their cricket,” he added.
Bashar informed that the first thing which comes to his mind when he thinks of the West Indies is the year 2004. The 41-year old said he always had a fascination for West Indian cricket.
“They have amazing cricketers and so many legends,” said the national selector. “Playing in the Caribbean was exciting for me. Their crowd, their culture – I thoroughly enjoyed the West Indies. In fact that was Bangladesh’s maiden tour I should say. The performance of the team was also pretty good that time. So, I often recall memories of that tour,” he added.
Bashar also cherished memories of the 2007 ICC World Cup. For the first time in the global tournament’s history, Bangladesh progressed to the second stage in style defeating powerful neighbours India. In the second round the Tigers shocked the world again by beating South Africa.
“We went there nearly a month early and then played the World Cup. The contrast was totally different compared to 2004,” he said.
“Personal achievements might have been limited but team-wise the results were fantastic. We were respected big-time throughout the Caribbean after the win against India. We became more like celebrities there. The taxi drivers, people in restaurants and almost everywhere – they used to get excited meeting us. That experience was amazing,” he added.
A 15-member Bangladesh side left Dhaka yesterday for the 38-day long tour of the Caribbean. The Tigers will begin their tour with the three-match ODI series that will be followed by a lone Twenty20 international. Two Test matches will conclude their tour. The visitors will also play two warm-up games – one limited-over tie and a three-day game.
A 15-member Bangladesh squad has already been announced for the ODIs. Following the ODI series and the solitary T20I, the squad for the Tests will be declared.