DHAKA, Feb 18, 2020 (BSS) – Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam insisted that the Tigers need to win the one-off Test against Zimbabwe to regain the confidence that was severely dented by the six straight defeats in the longer version format of late.
Out of the six defeats, five came at the innings. To be more precious Bangladesh lost the last three matches against India and Pakistan by innings margin.
However, all of the five innings defeats came at abroad while the match in which they didn’t taste innings defeat came at the home against low ranked Afghanistan.
Bangladesh could feel some sort of relief that Zimbabwe was not boasted by the threatening spinners like Rashid Khan who led Afghan’s astonishing victory against the Tigers.
But Taijul still remained concerned about Zimbabwe, stating that they need to play well against the Southern African nations to grab the victory.
At the same time he also looked relieved to play at home condition after a series of defeats in Test cricket.
“Doesn’t matter who the opponent is-we must win a Test,” Taijul said on Tuesday after Bangladesh’s practice session.
“It is very important to win the Test. If we can win, our confidence level will be enhanced, which at the moment is really crucial for us.”
He continued: “When we play at home condition, it gives us some relief. But at the same time everybody wants us to win when we play at our home. I think it is natural to do well at home.”
Taijul’s career-best 8-39 came against Zimbabwe, a performance that made him the premium spinner of the side alongside Shakib Al Hasan.
So naturally his name came to the fore when Bangladesh play against Zimbabwe. It’s however a thing that Taijul disliked most as he said that he also took wickets against other opponents.
“It’s not that I only picked up wickets against Zimbabwe. Against other opponents too, I took wickets. As I said earlier, you have to land the ball in the right areas, whatever the opponent is. If you can’t bowl well, even the Zimbabwe batsman would hit you,” he remarked.
The two teams so far played 16 Tests between them of which, Zimbabwe still had the upper-hand with seven victories while Bangladesh won six matches. Three of the Tests ended in a draw.
Most of Bangladesh victory came at the recent past when Zimbabwe lost its aura. However, still the South African nation beat Bangladesh in Sylhet in 2018.
Many of the Bangladeshi fans saw the Zimbabwe victory in 2018 as an accident but Taijul said Zimbabwe won the match because Bangladesh played badly.
Recalling that memory, Taijul warned his teammates to come up with good if they want to beat Zimbabwe in the one-off Test, slated to begin on February 22 at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
“The defeat was not an accident or not an upset. We had played badly in that Test and therefore we lost the match. Then we played well in the next Test and won it to draw the series. There is nothing like accident. In cricket you have to play well to win the game,” Taijul concluded.