Mushfiq strongly believes in Australia series win

Bangladesh are highly confident of a 2-0 win against Australia in the two-match Test series, set to begin in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium Sunday. Different Bangladesh team members ahead of the series expressed confidence regarding a series win, considering the fact that Australia have struggled in this format in the sub-continent for the last 10 years. Such level of confidence has surprised Australia captain Steven Smith but Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim on Saturday stood strong with their belief and said it is totally justified, bearing in mind the Tigers’ recent performance in the white outfit.

Looking forward to a sucessful series. #PracticeTime #BANvAUS pic.twitter.com/tTC502NCDn

— Mustafizur Rahman (@Mustafiz90) August 21, 2017

“We are confident because of our performance in the last two years. World cricket is rating Bangladesh high for not winning two Tests (against England and Sri Lanka) but for our consistent performance,” Mushfiqur told the media in the pre-match press conference in Mirpur.

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“It is now our duty to carry on with the performance. We have played well at home and we will have to carry that into the series against Australia. It is possible to get that (2-0) result but we will have to work really hard on the field for that. We are playing against a team which will fight till the end. There are teams that let go the game at some point but Australia are not like that. We have enough capable cricketers, so we can think of a good result from this series,” the wicketkeeper-batsman said.

Team Bangladesh practice at SBNCS today ahead of the first Test against @CAComms #banvaus pic.twitter.com/XVTAQPvE22— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) August 24, 2017

Bangladesh in their previous Test at home, against England in October last year, were boosted by the spin attack, led by debutant Mehedi Hasan Miraz. The Tigers recorded a historic win in the second Test, played in Mirpur, to draw the series.

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Also Read: Shakib: Now we feel very much unbeatable at home

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With yet another Test set to be played in Mirpur, Mushfiq said he has confidence in his spinners but added that a lot will depend on the behaviour of the wicket and the weather.

B'desh want 2-0, Australia desperate not to let that happen. All with rain in the air. First #banvaus Test preview: https://t.co/qEbNB4rZj9

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) August 26, 2017

The scenario can however, be different for Bangladesh too as Australia have off-spinner Nathan Lyon to make life of the home side batsmen extremely difficult. The 29-year old has picked up 58 wickets in 13 Tests in India and Sri Lanka, since his five-day bow in 2011. Lyon during Australia’s tour of India last March bagged 19 wickets in four Tests.

Tigers quicks can tame Aussies, says Taskin: https://t.co/Av2UDZ8qpW #BANvAUS pic.twitter.com/SmAVNgmKzq— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) August 22, 2017

“We all know spinners play a big role in the sub-continent. So Lyon will for sure add strength to the Australia team and things might be difficult for us, given we have many left-handed batsmen in the top-order. He played really well when Australia toured India, despite the fact that India batsmen play spin well,” said the 30-year old Mushfiq. “But we should not worry much, given that we have played against the top bowlers. We have that confidence. If we get to start well we will be able to put up a big score on the board,” he concluded.

Bangladesh 'unbeatable' at home, says Shakib: https://t.co/udhLrk4rLt #BANvAUS pic.twitter.com/CpuuzlFXlo

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) August 22, 2017