Preparation heading in to Pak Test 'not ideal' for Domingo
Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo said that the team's preparation for the upcoming Test series in Pakistan is not ideal. He cited that while the team has not done great in the Test format, those involved need to set themselves the target of winning a series outside of the country in the ICC Test Championship.
"Every time you are playing for your country, you should be motivated. It is a big series against one of the top nations in the world. We have a lot to improve in Test match cricket, so players know they have to perform in this format. We haven't played well in Test matches in a long period of time. We want to set ourselves a goal of trying to win a Test series outside Bangladesh. So there's a lot of motivation for us," Domingo began during the press conference today.
Bangladesh struggled in the recent Test series in India, failing to cope with pace and bounce from India pace trio. One of the problems leading up to the India series was the preparation for the longest format. Without any practice matches, they simply fiailed to read the demands of the wickets in India Tests. The Rawalpindi wicket is set to have 'pace and bounce' as well, according to Domingo and he said that preparations are not ideal at the moment. Bangladesh are set to play the first Test on February 7 and they have two days to prepare after departing for Pakistan tomorrow evening. The only preparations the national team had so far was playing in the first round of the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) while some of the members of the Test side worked with batting consultant Neil Mckenzie while the T20 side was playing in Pakistan.
"It is not ideal. You always want to go there at least seven or eight days before a Test match. Play a warm-up game, have a couple of days practice. It is not great preparation for us, but there's nothing we can do about it. The guys will practice and play here. We will reach there on Wednesday morning, practice Thursday and play on Friday. So it is not good [preparation].
It could be surmised from the coach's words that the Pakistan tour would be a hard one and he called upon his batsmen to show more character.
"It is going to be a big challenge for the boys. Some of them have been doing well with Neil McKenzie, who has worked with some technical things with the Test boys. Of course, some of the boys know that they have to put in some big performances on the back of a poor Test series against India. We have to show a bit more commitment with the bat, and find ways to manufacture scores even when the conditions are not good," Russell said.