'Opportunity as we are in good form'
Towards the end of Bangladesh's training session yesterday morning Taijul Islam decided to shift ends and pad up for a change. At the indoor facilities of Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong, the slow left-armer was up against a bowling machine that seemed to rattle down deliveries at a pace much too fast for Taijul's comfort.
The first delivery shaved his elbow, while the second took an inside edge on to his pad. Captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who himself was resting nearby following a strenuous batting session, noticed that. He got up, clapped twice and urged Taijul to see the line.
As the Test series begins today, there will be plenty more instances when Mushfiqur will have to raise his voice and encourage mates. It was a duty that Mashrafe Bin Mortaza did well during the ODIs. And with the power transferred to Mushfiqur, the Tigers will hope that the wicketkeeper-batsman can uphold the spirit.
While it would be too much to expect all-out victories, akin to the ODI series, in the Tests, one however will hope that the Tigers under Mushfiqur can depict the same fervour and aggression that they did under Mashrafe.
And the skipper is aware of this challenge.
"It's not about Test or one-day, this is a Bangladesh team. So yes it may feel a little bad because the way we are progressing in the one-dayers, everyone wants the same amount of progress in Tests as well.
"The least we should be able to do is play consistent cricket for five days, the results will automatically come. I think that the way we have been playing for the last eight months and with the good results coming by there is a good chance for us to do well in this Test series too," said Mushfiqur.
"We have done so well in the one-dayers that there seems to be a new challenge for us now; replicating that form in Test cricket. Almost the same players play in the Tests as well, so why will we not be able to put in similar performances in Test cricket?
"Maybe because we don't play too many Tests; the rhythm is important. There is also an issue of temperament in the longer version. But on the whole I have been happy with the way our team played this year. We have drawn against Pakistan, India and won three Tests against Zimbabwe," he added.
Mushfiqur also said that the camp was confident after their comeback in the ODIs and were raring to go in the Tests as well.
"We have never faced South Africa with this kind of a mentality. Although Test cricket is a different ball game, this is an opportunity for us because we are in good form," said Mushfiqur.