We can do something better

The Bangladesh national cricket team is currently in Sri Lanka to play two Test matches of the ICC Test Championship. They began to practice on Thursday after three days of room quarantine.  All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz recalled the Tigers’ win on their 100th Test match 4 years ago against the same opposition and hoped to bring the same result this time around as well. 

Miraz said if they can show the same commitment and intensity they can do well in this upcoming series again.

“If you look at the way we’ve played in last 3-4 years, we are not far behind them. I think if we have the same commitment and can give the same intensity, then I think we can do something better,” said Miraz. Bangladesh drew 1-1 in all formats on the tour in 2017.

They returned to the country the next year to agonisingly finish as runners-up to India in the Nidahas Trophy. Although the 2019 ODI series against the hosts went horribly wrong as Bangladesh got whitewashed 0-3 just after the World Cup.

“We have played good cricket whenever we toured Sri Lanka. We couldn’t win the Nidahas Trophy by a whisker. The Tests and ODIs were drawn 1-1 (in 2017).”

“I had a great feeling when we won the 100th Test,” Miraz recalled the historic victory on Bangladesh’s 100th Test. 

“It was our first Test win in Sri Lanka. Everybody in our team had the commitment – to play good cricket and win the match anyhow. All of us had the winning body language. We had good times and bad times across the five days but it was the last day where we played good cricket and won. It was a great moment for us.”

The all-rounder is looking forward to using the spin-friendly wicket as he referred spinner can take advantage on the day three and four in Sri Lankan condition. 

“Line and length are very important for spinners on Sri Lankan soil, as the wicket is very good here. And I don’t think it can work like that for a day or two, but when 3-4 days go by, there is help on the wicket. We spinners can take that advantage.” he added.

The 21-member preliminary squad will play a 2-day intra-squad practice game from Saturday. 

Bangladesh will not get any local cricketers for the preparation match. As a result, the visitors had to go to Sri Lanka with a large preliminary squad. After the two-day match, Bangladesh will announce the main team for the series.

The two matches between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. The first Test will start on April 21. The second Test will be played on April 29.