CHENNAI: After conquering Pakistan for the first time, Bangladesh arrived in Chennai on Sunday with renewed hope ahead of their next long-format assignment in India. Having achieved half of a south Asian ‘double’ that once appeared impossible – winning Test series in Pakistan and India – Najmul Hossain Shanto‘s Bangladesh now have a spring in their step.
Bangladesh have shown that they have it in them to punch above their weight and India cannot afford to take the visiting team lightly in the forthcoming two-match contest, beginning with the game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday.
FIGHTING SPIRIT IN THE GROUP
Bangladesh displayed a never-say-die attitude when the chips were down in the recent Pakistan series; the best case in point being the miraculous recovery they produced in the second Test in Rawalpindi.
The Shanto-led side turned the tables in stunning fashion after tottering at 26-6 while responding to Pakistan’s first innings total of 274. Even in the first Test, Bangladesh never gave up; they emerged victorious by 10 wickets after Pakistan managed to post a huge first-innings score of 448-6 declared.
A similar fighting spirit will be much needed in the Chennai Test, if Bangladesh are to execute what Shanto is expecting of them. “We want to play well on all five days, that is our goal. We want to get the result in the last session of the Test match. At that time, the match can go in any direction. It is an opportunity (first Test victory in India), we will play for the win,” Shanto said in the pre-departure press conference in Dhaka.
It is to be recalled that Bangladesh ran India close in the second match of the two-game series at home in December 2022.
SPIN STRENGTH
India may have to think twice in case they plan to dish out a rank turner at Chepauk, given the spin strength in the opposition camp. Bangladesh have three potent slow bowling operators in Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam, with each one of them capable of feasting in favourable conditions.
The pace pack does not have the highest quality, but will draw confidence from their superb show in the second Pakistan Test – the fast bowlers bagged all 10 wickets in the second innings. “We are in a good place with our bowling attack, both spin and pace. Our pacers are behind them (India’s fast bowlers) in terms of experience, but our spin attack is close to theirs. They can bowl in any condition. All I can say is that we will give our 100 per cent,” said Shanto, who will miss injured left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam.
EXPERIENCE IN THE RANKS
In pressure situations, Bangladesh can turn to experienced campaigners like Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim. Most of the other members in the core group also have enough matches under their belt to handle crunch moments. “We can make a difference only if we play as a team. The whole team has to play together. As for Shakib, I am hopeful that he will do well. The expectations are always the same with him. He has been in good form with the ball,” Shanto said.
The Bangladesh players are not alien to the conditions as the main members were in action in the 2023 ODI WC contest against New Zealand.
