Bangladesh players have been urged to forget about the mystery Afghanistan side and focus on their strengths for their one-off Test starting on Wednesday. (More Cricket News)
Coach Chandika Hathurusingha admits they have little idea about most of the Afghan players but that shouldn’t be a problem if they stick to theír process.
“Normally we focus like 25% on the opposition strengths and weaknesses and 75% on what we do,” Hathurusingha said. “But as it stands, we don’t know much about them so we can’t control that.”
Afghanistan played its last Test in 2021 against Zimbabwe and only four players have survived from that squad. Rested was celebrated legspinner Rashid Khan, who claimed 11 wickets in the win against Zimbabwe and 11 wickets in Afghanistan’s only previous Test against Bangladesh in 2019.
Bangladesh has its own fitness problems. Captain Shakib Al Hasan has been ruled out by a finger injury, opener Tamim Iqbal is complaining about a back issue, and fast bowler Taskin Ahmed is waiting to be cleared fit.
Hathurusinha was unfazed by those problems in the middle of monsoon season, saying they will aim to continue the attacking mindset they displayed against Ireland in their only other Test this year in April. Bangladesh scored just above 4.5 runs per over and won by seven wickets in Mirpur.
Since this one-off Test was not part of the new World Test Championship cycle, they will experiment, Hathurusinha added.
“Before that Ireland series, we wanted to play a certain brand of cricket, regardless of the result. So, yes, our endgame is to get results but we wanted to understand how our skillset lasts five days in different conditions, challenging us to play in a certain way.
“When we want to get some points in the Test championship, we might tactically do different things, but this game is giving us the opportunity to play on a sporting wicket.”
Stand-in captain Liton Das said their experience gives them the edge over the Afghans.
“We are better than them in one aspect, we have been playing Test cricket for a long time,” Liton said. “Our maturity level is also higher because we play a lot of Test cricket now.
“Of course, we have less idea about their cricketers because they have played more ODIs and T20s. It is difficult to judge their Test credentials. We have a plan up our sleeves, and if we execute it we will win.”
Afghanistan has played only six Tests in total (and won three) but coach Jonathon Trott didn’t believe it was a big disadvantage.
“It doesn’t mean tomorrow they will play better than us,” Trott said. “We prepared really well. I feel the players have trained exceptionally well. They are excited to play a Test in Bangladesh. Whatever has happened in the past, whoever is favorites or the conditions, it is all about what happens tomorrow and who plays the best.”
