‘Challenging batsmen on front foot the best way to get wickets in Bangladesh’

Banking on spinners is what usually Bangladesh do when playing at home -- be it Tests or ODIs. The pitches too remain mostly spin-friendly which is not unknown to sides touring the country. And hence, it always becomes difficult for pacers to get the best out of the pitches here in Bangladesh.

Kemar Roach, most experienced pacer in the current West Indies Test squad for the Bangladesh tour, is well aware of the challenges that await the pacers in their upcoming two-Test series, starting from February 3 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. 

"It is hard work for fast bowlers around here [in Bangladesh]. The pitches are not conducive to speed or any seam movement. It is all about being consistent and putting ball in right areas," said Roach during a virtual press conference on Tuesday. 

Roach, who made his Test debut against Bangladesh back in 2009 in Kingstown, has been very successful against the Tigers in the format. He scalped a total of 33 wickets -- most by any bowlers in current Windies Test squad -- in the eight Tests he played against Bangladesh. 

Roach, who is now on his third tour of Bangladesh, knows what the pacers need to do in order to get wickets here in Bangladesh.   

"Pacers here need to maintain a pretty straight length and challenge the batsmen on the front foot. That's where the best chances are for pacers to succeed in Bangladesh. Also [pacers] need to try to get the ball to reverse as early as possible in order to trouble the middle order batsmen," explained Roach, when asked about secrets of pacers bowling well in Bangladesh.