Bangladesh might field a pace-heavy bowling unit against Afghanistan. Photo: Firoz Ahmed
While the absence of the prime leg-spinner Rashid Khan in the Afghanistan side gives Bangladesh some relief, the relatively unknown players in the opposition camp can prove tricky for the Tigers in the upcoming lone Test starting from tomorrow.
At least six cricketers in the Afghanistan side are waiting to make their Test debuts, and when asked whether it would be tough for the hosts to plan against the relatively unknown players, head coach Chandika Hathurusingha said that they are focusing more on their strength rather than about the opponents.
“Very good question. 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. And the first question is, 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,” said Hathurusingha.
Although Bangladesh most of the time favour spin-friendly surfaces at home to get the better of the visitors, the pitch at the Sher-e-Bangla National stadium this time was covered in grass even the day before the Test match. With five seamers in the line-up, according to Hathurusingha, the Tigers are preparing to provide favourable condition for the pacers.
“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. We have fast bowlers. So, we need to give them a condition that suits their strength.
“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.
