DHAKA, May 10, 2022 (BSS) - Despite a lean batting form, Bangladesh batting
coach Jamie Siddons kept faith on Mushfiqur Rahim and Test captain Mominul
Haque as he believed that the duo would get back to amongst runs during the
first Test against Sri Lanka, starting on May 15 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury
Stadium in Chattogram.

Bangladesh's batting's mainstay Mushfiqur averaged only 26 this year in
longer version form and also went through a bad patch in white ball cricket,
much to the disappointment of the cricket fans.

Mominul meanwhile got out in single digit figure for nine times in the last
12 innings. His score was just 0, 2, 6 and 5 in the last four innings against
South Africa.

While those two vital cogs of were going through a massive bad patch, it
affected Bangladesh's batting badly. But Siddons saw runs coming from the duo
very soon.

"Every batsman goes through patches where they don't make runs. I am really
confident that Mushfiqur will make runs out here this week," Siddons said at
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium after Bangladesh's practice session today.

"I have seen some really good signs, the way he is hitting it in the last two
days. We worked on a couple of little things with him. I think he is going to
have a successful series."

Mushfiqur's problem was only compounded when Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)
president Nazmul Hassan Papon sought clarity from senior players on their
future plans, saying that due to the advent of T20 cricket, the senior
cricketers are no longer focusing on all formats.

Many believed this statement was directed to Mushfiqur Rahim who is the only
senior cricketer who is playing all format of cricket without any complain.

Without mentioning anyone's name, Papon said, "Our problem is that we don't
want anyone to feel bad and we want them to quit with a smiling face."

When asked Siddons said, Mushfiqur is not focusing on what was happening
outside rather he only concentrated on the upcoming two Test matches against
Sri Lanka.

"I think Mushy is only focused in the next two Tests. I don't think he is
worried about his career in any format," Siddons remarked.

"I think he is worried about making runs for us in these two Tests. He is
focused on Tests at the moment. He is quite successful in white-ball cricket.
Good players can have moments when they don't make runs, and then bounce
back. That's why they are great players. Mushy is a very successful Test
player. He keeps making runs. He might have a period like South Africa, and
then he will bounce back again."

Siddons also believed that the media should not put more pressure on
Mushfiqur as he is not in form right at the moment.

"So you guys need to stop talking negative. Don't put pressure on them just
because they missed out on one series. Build them up all the time. Then they
won't have that pressure," he said.

While he believed that Mushfiqur will have a successful series, he saw
century coming from Mominul's willow also as the captain had a record to envy
in Chattogram venue.

"He (Mominul) has nine centuries in Chattogram. This week is another chance
to make another couple. He loves this ground. We are just trying to get him
ready to go. He is very confident," Siddons said.