Published on 12:00 AM, November 26, 2018

Rhodes wants Tigers to go for the kill

Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes speaks with reporters at the team hotel in Chattogram yesterday. The Englishman fielded questions regarding the Tigers' recent exploits and their plans for the second Test against the West Indies. PHOTO: Rajib Raihan
Sports Reporter

Having recorded a first-ever home Test win against the West Indies in Chattogram, Bangladesh will be looking to fashion a maiden Test series win against a visiting Windies team -- that is what seems to be head coach Steve Rhodes' plan.

The clear message from the Englishman is to go for the kill and wrap up the series 2-0 by winning the second and final Test, scheduled to start from November 30 in Dhaka.

"It was a very good win against the West Indies. But the West Indies are going to come back hard in the next Test and we need to be ready for that and need to be on top of our game. I want to win 2-0," Rhodes told reporters in Chattogram yesterday.

The inclusion of only two genuine pacers in the squad for the first Test conveyed a clear message about Bangladesh's approach.

Unsurprisingly, Mustafizur Rahman was the only pacer to feature in the Chattogram Test as Bangladesh opted to go with a spin quartet. The four-man spin attack, comprising of captain Shakib Al Hasan, Taijul Islam, Mehedi Hasan Miraz and 17-year old debutant Nayeem Hasan, proved to be the key to success for the Tigers as all twenty of the visitors' wickets were taken by them.

SON'S ACHIEVEMENT, MOTHER'S JOY: Nayeem Hasan (R) is seen at his Farida Para residence in Chandgaon, Chattogram alongside family members. His five-wicket haul in his debut Test against West Indies brought joy to the nation but more importantly, a smile on his mother (2nd R), Momtaz Begum's, face. PHOTO: Rajib Raihan

In the first innings, Nayeem set a world record by becoming the youngest debutant in Test cricket history to take a five-wicket haul, while Shakib created a buzz as he took a wicket off his first ball since returning to the side following a finger injury.

Meanwhile, Taijul's six for 33 in the second innings made headlines as the Tigers bundled out the Windies for 139 during their chase of 204 runs.

Rhodes seems content to keep going with that approach, but also voiced concerns that such a style would not bring the Tigers success away from home.

"If we feel that [having] four spinners is the right way and that's our style of doing it, so what? We just have to make sure that we are ready to play away from home and that's what I am very conscious [about] as I want Bangladesh to be a good side away from home as well," Rhodes added.

The head coach was also in awe of Shakib's performance and hailed his captaincy in the game before mentioning that the Mirpur Test could see a better and fitter Shakib as the all-rounder already has some game time under his belt.

"I want to pay tribute to Shakib [Al Hasan]. It was an amazing effort from him. We should not forget that for him to play was a great effort because he could have easily not played and said: 'look I am not ready'. But he did play and that's good to see."

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