'I don't believe in history'
Chandika Hathurusingha has been spending a wonderful time as the head coach of the Tigers, with his charges achieving two major ODI series victories at home against two South-Asian superpowers -- Pakistan and India. Under his tutelage the Tigers have been playing a good brand of cricket since the World Cup. Now the Sri Lankan stands before another challenge as formidable South Africa are in the country to play a full series. The Bangladesh coach yesterday talked to the media for the first time since his side's magnificent 2-1 series victory against India. The following is an extract from the press conference at Mirpur.
Question (Q): Are the T20s versus SA part of preparations for 2016 World Twenty20?
Chandika Hathurusingha (CH): It has a lot to do with the World Cup in mind. We are thinking about our combination and game plan, what's going to be effective for us. This will be our focus for this series.
(Q): Are you excited by the last two series wins?
(CH): I think it is an exciting time for Bangladesh. I mean it is always good to win, but the way we are playing and winning is more exciting.
(Q): The youngsters are performing well. Do you take it upon yourself to keep them in check?
(CH): I haven't seen anything distracting coming in the camp. They are keeping their feet on the ground. They need to enjoy their successes. Some of the guys have done things that people have never done before so these are unprecedented successes. They have the right to enjoy what they are doing and be confident about it.
(Q): What are Mushfiqur Rahim’s chances of donning the gloves in the upcoming series?
(CH): As soon as Mushfiqur is confident enough to keep, he will give us lot of options for our team combinations. Whenever he is confident about his finger, we are looking forward to giving him the opportunity to keep. He has started to keep in last few training sessions. We also have Litton (Das) in the squad. It is completely up to Mushfiq’s finger. It is looking good, the physio is happy. It is healing quickly.
(Q): How do you feel about taking on South Africa?
(CH): South Africa has been a really, really good side for a long period of time in all formats of cricket. They have been a consistent side for several years. I think they are favourites. I haven't said this before. They are a very strong team.
(Q): Are you concerned about South Africa's pace?
(CH): We can't control how quickly they are going to bowl, isn't it? We are preparing like we prepared for the other series'. It was our challenge to get used to the conditions in the World Cup where there were quick pitches. Training hasn't changed much, as it is working for us.
(Q): Bangladesh's pacers performed well against India. Should we expect you to follow the same strategy, or will the focus be more on spin?
(CH): Lately we have been balanced in spin and pace. Traditionally Bangladesh is known to have lot of good spinners. It is not different now. We don't have a lot of fast bowlers, but the ones we have can bring a different quality to the team. Some are tall, some have variation, some can swing the ball. This is our advantage; we can go either way.
South Africa have good quick bowlers, a good batting side and lately they play spin well too. They are a very competent side. We can't find any major weakness in their armoury so we have to play consistent cricket and make good decisions in the middle.
(Q): Bangladesh has a poor record against South Africa. How do you look at the past records?
(CH): If I believed in history, I wouldn't be here today. I don't believe in history. It is there to change. It is how we go about doing it that is key. We are not a part of history. We are part of present and what we do now.
I can't do much about what players read or write. I can only tell the players what we can do now and what our strengths are. I constantly tell them how good they are and what they can do.
(Q): How do you plan to stop a batsman like AB de Villiers?
(CH): For AB, the plan is to bowl and pray that he gets out. He is arguably one of the best players in the world. You can't plan much. We have to execute our best ball and control his damage. He is a human as well.
(Q): Across the 3 formats, where do you think you have the best chance to stop South Africa?
(CH): They have been a very strong side in all formats for a long time. I don't see that we have an advantage in any version. We can't pinpoint anything. We are confident with the way we play ODI cricket at this stage. We are really doing well. I still think that we will give them a good run. We are a very strong side.
(Q): Is there any new surprise in store?
(CH): (Smiles) Do I have to find a new surprise every series? Again, we probably play to our strengths in this series. Until I find someone in Khulna or somewhere else, we will stick to our strengths.
(Q): What are your plans for the Tests?
(CH): We probably have a lot more freedom because we are playing the Tests after the One Day Internationals and we are heading into another Test series, against Australia, as well. Depending on the available players, we will have a formula going forward.
(Q): How do you view the return of Shohag Gazi?
(CH): He has been bowling with his new action for so many months now. The selectors have seen him bowling in matches so we are banking on his new action being as good as the previous one. He is going to give us another attacking option.
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