Bangladesh’s assistant coach Nick Pothas believes that Afghanistan will be more motivated to make a statement and come hard at the hosts in the white-ball series following their record 546-run defeat in the lone Test.
The return of star leg-spinner Rashid Khan, along with Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi, will strengthen the Afghan side and they are expected to give tough fight to the Tigers.
“A lot of their (Afghanistan) main players will now be fresh. They’ve had a break. They’re going to come back. They’re a very proud nation. The defeat in the Test match will motivate them as well when we’re coming back,” Pothas told the media in Mirpur yesterday.
“But it’s very exciting for us because it’ll tell us where we are and it’ll give us a really good insight as to what we need to work on, what we’re doing well, etc. So, it’s an exciting series, but it’s going to be very, very tough,” he added.
The three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, starting early next month, month is expected to be the last series for the Tigers to prepare and chalk out plans for the upcoming Asia Cup and the ICC ODI World Cup later this year.
“All of this is part of a much bigger picture. The big picture is obviously the World Cup, the Asia Cup. We cannot wish for better preparation for that than a series against Afghanistan. They are a very good one-day team,” he said.
The 49-year-old also felt that there will be pressure on the Tigers from the media and fans and urged everyone to back the team.
“With regards to pressure on us, pressure only comes from one side. It comes from the media and the supporters, not from us. So, it’s up to you how much pressure you want to put us on,” said the South African.
