DHAKA, June 13, 2023 (BSS)-Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha stressed upon the requirements to focus on their own strength, rather than thinking much about the Afghanistan side, which was formed with the players who are mostly unknown in the world cricket.

Since video footages of most of the players of Afghanistan are not available, Bangladesh indeed had little to do as far as planning for all players are concerned ahead of the one-off Test, beginning from tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

"Most of their players, we don't know much about them. Anyway, we take a look at the opposition strength and limitation. But we more like 25 we focus on them. 75 we focus on what we do. But as you said, we don't know, so we can't control about that," Hathurusingha said here today.

Even though there was no Rashid Khan, who was rested, Afghanistan are believed to be bolstered with talented spinners. It is predicted Bangladesh prepared a grassy wicket to neutralize the Afghan spinners effect but Hathurusingha termed the wicket as 'sporting', saying that the excessive heat could break the wicket in later part of the Test and so spinners will be handy.

"Rashid is a quality bowler. He has done well when he played last time here. At the same time, we also have our one of the best players, Shakib Al Hasan, not ready. So, but we have confidence with what we have," Hathurusingha said.

"Grass is green because of the rain the last few days. So, I have seen green wickets here before. We played against Ireland on a green wicket. As relevant to the previous question, we have fast bowlers. So, we need to give them a condition that suits their strength," he revealed.

"We have good spinners as well. So, this game is only starting as a green wicket. You know that with this heat it'll deteriorate very quickly, and then it'll help the spinners in the latter parts of the game. So, I think this pitch is a good sporting wicket for everybody, the batter, bowlers - fast bowlers and spinners. So, I'd like to see a good contest," he added.

Afghanistan played their last test in 2021 against Zimbabwe and only four players survived from that squad to face Bangladesh.

Bangladesh will miss the service of captain Shakib Al Hasan who was ruled out with finger injury. Liton Das will lead the side in absence of him.

Opener Tamim Iqbal complained about his back problem while fast bowler Taskin Ahmed is waiting to get his match fitness clearance.

But Hathurusinha was unfazed by those problems, saying that they should continue to play the attacking brand of cricket that they played against Ireland. Bangladesh scored just above 4.50 per over in that test they won by seven wickets.
 
According to Hathurusingha since the series is not the part of World Test Championship, they can still experiment this brand of cricket to get used to it.

"As we discussed, before that Ireland series, we wanted to play a certain brand of cricket, regardless of the result. So yes, our endgame is to get results, but we wanted to understand how our skill set last five days in different conditions, challenging us to play in a certain way," he said.

"When we wanted to play and get some points, when we play the test championship, we might tactically do different things, but this game is giving us the opportunity to play on a sporting wicket," he said.

Even though the Test is not the part of World Test Championship, Hathurusingha seemed excited.

"You're playing for your country. Forget about Test Championship, that came how long ago? Two years, three years ago, or four years ago," said Hathurusingha.

"Before that, you are playing Test cricket for your country. That's what we dream of when we start playing in 11, 9, 10 (years old) - playing for your country, I don't have to inspire anyone. If there's a problem, then I think he is in the wrong place," he said.

"In my head, and I think in the players' heads, playing for your country in a Test match is enough for them to be motivated, and that's how I look at it. So, any match you play for your country... is an honor. So, I think we don't look beyond that," he said.