Bangladesh stand-in captain Mahmudullah understands that there will be a lot of doubters about how his side can deal with the conditions and the New Zealand bowlers in the first of three Test matches in Hamilton on Thursday.
The Tigers were thoroughly outplayed by the Kiwis 3-0 in the ODI series but Mahmudullah believes that a better performance awaits in the Tests as the players have a better idea about the host’s bowlers and the conditions.
“It is always challenging for us to perform in overseas Tests. Everyone has doubts about whether we can win an overseas Test. However, we are not thinking about that. We have many things to take as motivation from the recent past. We want to play relying on our own strengths. We know how the conditions can behave, and we also have an idea about their bowlers. Now the onus is on us. We have to perform, and we need to execute ourselves,” Mahmudullah said to the media on Wednesday.
First Test, Bangladesh vs @BLACKCAPS, Seddon Park, Hamilton.
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) February 27, 2019
Bangladesh Tour of New Zealand 2019. #BANvNZ #RiseOfTheTigers pic.twitter.com/1hm3nD4DhF
Bangladesh have been hit by a myriad of injuries to key players from the beginning of the tour.
Premier all-rounder and Test captain Shakib al Hasan injured his finger in the Bangladesh Premier League final while fast bowler Taskin Ahmed injured his ankle in the same tournament. They have both been ruled out of the series in New Zealand.
On the other hand, Mushfiqur Rahim has been dealing with a long standing rib injury and he also injured his wrist in the final ODI against the Kiwis.
As a result, Mahmudullah informed that the right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman will miss the first Test.
“Mushfiq is getting better. But perhaps we are not getting him in the first match. Along with Mushfiq, Shakib is also an integral part of our team. It is really tough to set our best combination without them. I hope those who are getting chances to replace them will perform well and take their chance,” the stand-in captain explained.
The injury to Taskin – who had been recalled into the Test squad – has reopened the door into the national team squad for fast bowler Ebadat Hossain, who is yet to make his Test debut.
Bangladesh tour of New Zealand - 2019
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) February 27, 2019
Test Series (Feb 28 - Mar 20) #RiseOfTheTigers pic.twitter.com/5KDge66rYW
There are other quality fast bowlers like Abu Jayed Rahi and Mustafizur Rahman and Mahmudullah is expecting them to do well in favourable conditions.
“Rahi is our premium fast bowler. He has played some matches and performed well too. We have Ebadat, a new talent, who can bowl at a great pace. And we also have Mustafizur. Everyone has an idea about his capability. Now our main focus is to execute our plan in the middle,” he said.
