‘Hopeful because of our preparation’
Bangladesh all-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraz said yesterday that preparations for the upcoming two-match Test series against India have been going smoothly as Bangladesh try to push the formidable Virat Kohli-led India in their own backyard.
The young off-spinner exuded confidence after Tigers’ T20I squad got off a flying start on tour by winning the first T20I in New Delhi.
Mehedi, along with new Test captain Mominul Haque, Shadman Islam, Imrul Kayes, Saif Hasan, Nayeem Hasan, Abu Jayed and Ebadot Hossain will leave today to join the team in Nagpur, where the Tigers will play the third and last T20I against India, who is being led by Rohit Sharma in place of the rested Kohli. The first Test of the two-match series will start in Indore from November 14 and the final Test will take place in Kolkata from November 22.
“It’s a very important tour for us and we have to take up the challenge. Mental preparation is very important because it would not be an easy task to play Tests on Indian soil. I am hopeful because of the way we are preparing for the series. We are now confident as we made a good start in this series. It is possible to do something if everybody steps up,” Mehedi told the reporters yesterday.
The 22-year-old all-rounder, who has so far played 20 Tests since making his debut against England in Chattogram in October 2016, also said that he will miss bowling in partnership with ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.
“I really enjoy the partnership with Shakib bhai. He helps me a lot during my bowling as he always advises me about what I need to do. So, I have to be prepared as I will not get his assistance this time. But we have our [spin] bowling consultant Daniel Vettori and I hope I can learn many things from him,” said Mehedi.
“His [Shakib’s] absence also puts additional pressure on other spinners, but we have to take that pressure and face that challenge,” he added.
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