KOLKATA, Nov 21, 2019 (BSS) – Amid the widespread apprehension of losing the maiden pink ball Test inside three days, Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque refused to give up the hope of winning the game, as he vowed to get down the field with an aim to draw the two-match Test series against India.
The second Test, which will be day-night affair, is set to start tomorrow (Friday) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Bangladesh was undone by the Indian pacers’ vicious swing and bounce in the first game to taste an innings and 130-run margin. Cricket Pundits believes Tigers are on the way to receive another harsh treatment from the Indian pacers, who would find more swing and bounce from the latest manufactured SG pink ball.
At the same time, the Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujon Mukherjee promised to prepare a sporting wicket, suited to Indian fast bowlers, like the one in Indore.
Overall the things looked ominous in Bangladesh’s maiden appearance in day-night Test but Mominul Haque made it clear that his side won’t let India to make it a cakewalk like the first Test.
“We will go out to play with a winning mentality every time we go to a ground to any match,” Mominul said in the pre-match conference at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday.
“We are prepared that way and would give our best, whatever the situation is.”
The Indian team over the years grew strength to strength and started winning in every condition around the world, vastly due to their fabulous fast bowling attack. They have never lost a Test series at home since 2012 when Alastair Cook’s England beat them by 2-1 in four-match series.
They even lost just one Test at home soil in last seven years, that too at the hands of Australia, when Steven Smith played an innings of his life in Pune’s turning wicket.
Bangladesh knew how tougher the task is. Mominul however still urged his side to come all guns blazing and plugged the loopholes that they found in the first Test.
“We will try to do lesser mistakes than the first Test. We have to bat session by session and try to win it. I have told the bowlers to do well session by session. That’s what we will try to do,” Mominul added.
Mominul, who was appointed captain, following the ICC-imposed ban on Shakib Al Hasan, just ahead of the series, said they are not here to upset India, rather he wants to see it as an opportunity.
“We are not here to cause an upset. It’s an opportunity for us and we want to grab it with both hands,” he remarked.
Bangladesh’s openers showed the vulnerability against the moving balls in the first Test and sometimes looked trembling against the express deliveries of the Indian fast bowlers.
Mominul believes the openers start is important in their cause and hence he urged them to play with patience.
“As I said earlier, I told all to do the lesser mistakes than the first Test. The same thing is applicable for the openers also. I will tell them to play with utmost patience.”