While talking to BSS, Bangladesh captain quickly added, " We will play Test match after 16 months gap.. boys are fit and ready to do something special in the Zimbabwe tour. And if we can quickly adapt to their conditions then it is possible to do many things in the tour. Except Mohammad Ashraful none of the other players including myself have played test match in Zimbabwe.
"It is summer in Bangladesh but over there in Zimbabwe, it is winter. It depends on us how quickly we settle down in Zimbabwe. I know we have the potentials to do well in Zimbabwe as our team has experience and quality to prevail under extreme conditions."
"We also know that Zimbabwe are trying to comeback in Test cricket after a considerable time, so they will leave no stone unturned to show the cricketing world that they have the potentials and abilities to play regularly in Test cricket against all other test nations," said Shakib.
Tigers left for Zimbabwe to play a Test and five-match ODI series. The Tigers will open their Zimbabwe campaign with a three-day practice match against Zimbabwe XI on July 30 in Harare Sports Club ground which Bangladesh skipper believes would be an important one. Shakib added that it will be an acid for youngsters to take up the challenge.
However Shakib looked to be in a very positive mood as he said they are going to Zimbabwe as favorite team and boys are ready to perform their best against their African counterpart despite their absence from Test cricket in 16 months.
The Bangladesh skipper once again recalled that the presence of senior speedster Mashrefee Bin Mortaza and medium pacer Shahadat Hossain in this squad would have bolstered the side's strength as the condition prevailing in Zimbabwe would definitely favour the seamers rather than the spinners.
It may be recalled pacer Mashrafee underwent a knee operation recently while another pacer Shahadat suddenly could not make the team due to a sudden injury after a two-month conditioning camp.
Shakib showed his confidence for the newcomers as he said that the newcomers in the team are dependable and would do well in Zimbabwe. They have been doing well in the domestic competition.
Despite some odds, Shakib still believes Bangladesh as the favorite in the only Test match encounter against Zimbabwe considering the past records of the two sides.
The lone survivor of the last Zimbabwe tour former national captain Mohammad Ashraful said to BSS that this tour is very important for Bangladesh and his own career. He believes that he would be able to play an important role in this tour with his previous experiences and would grab every opportunity to reestablish his position as a regular member in the side.
Hard hitting opener Tamim Iqbal told BSS that it has been wonderful so far working under the new Australian coach Stuart Law and would love to play his part efficiently for his team's triumph in Zimbabwe.
Newly appointed Bangladesh coach Stuart Law remain stick to his earlier comments that the cricketers are feeling a bit uncomfortable due to their prolong absent from the longer version cricket as well as to face different condition in Harare.
No comments:
Post a Comment