After the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) settling their differences with the players over their eleven demands, the team is now ready to challenge India in Indian conditions, who are on the cloud nine after whitewashing South Africa 3-0.
However, the Tigers still have an underlying problem with the board and Shakib-Al-Hasan over making deals without taking permission. Habibul Bashir, whoever finds this issue irrelevant. “The problem between Shakib and the BCB is over a contract clause. It’s not related to cricket. So, the team (atmosphere) will not be affected,” Bashar told Indian Express.
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He further said, “The strike didn’t last long. The matter was resolved in two days. We didn’t have any match or practice sessions during that period. The BCB handled it professionally. Sometimes, such individual issues crop up. I hope it will not affect our preparations. But we will miss Tamim Iqbal, as he is not available (the opener has pulled out on personal grounds). It’s a big setback for us because he has been our best batsman (in Tests) for long.”
Bashar also talked about how the team will cope with the Indian team at home in Test series, for which the team is yet to be named.
He said, “Yes, fast-bowling is one area where we are struggling. We don’t have flat-out fast bowlers. But I’m hopeful that Taskin (Ahmed) will be fit and available for the Tests. We have also brought back Al-Amin (Hossain). In Test cricket, not every batsman will score big runs in a match. He who gets into the groove must play big innings. If we want to do well against India, we have to convert the 60s, 70s, and 80s into big hundreds.”
Despite all hope, he admitted that India is a tough opposition anywhere, but in their own home, they have created a fortress which is becoming harder and harder to breach for touring teams.
He said, “India is in tremendous form. They are the strongest opposition in Test cricket at this moment. So, opening our World Test Championship campaign against India is a huge challenge. We know that. It’s a very tough test. At the same time, it’s an opportunity for us as well. If we perform well, Bangladesh cricket will make a rapid forward movement. But once again, it won’t be easy. India probably has the best bowling attack in the world at this moment. Pace, spin – they have an all-round bowling attack. They probably also have the best top-five, batting-wise. So, we have to play out of our skins.”
