Fatullah: Up against fancied India, Bangladesh’s ODI skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza says the home team should be “realistic” and enter the one-off Test with an aim to achieve a draw. India are currently ranked third in the ICC Test rankings as compared to Bangladesh’s lowly ninth position on the eve of the match.
“(We) have to bat very well. But just batting well does not win Tests, only helps draw them. Wickets and strategies should be built with that in mind,” Mashrafe told bdnews24.com. “I think a draw will be a pretty good result. I kee saying we might face the opposite consequences if we go for too much in Tests right now. As batting is our strength in Test, we should focus on that.”
Mashrafe felt being realistic would be good for the team. “We will definitely play to win. But we have to be realistic. When we will have the sure-fire ability to take 20 wickets, we will plan according to that.
“(But) in reality if we can score 450 or 500 and if bowlers can bowl in the right areas to restrict their (India) batsmen, we can manage a draw. If that effort creates an opportunity to win, that will be even better.”
Bangladesh played their inaugural Test against India in November 2000. They lost six off the seven matches played against their fancied neighbours. The 31-year-old Mashrafe believed Bangladesh will someday start winning Tests on a regular basis. “We used to once lose all matches badly in ODIs. We started to fight back a bit and fought harder later.
“Then we started winning some matches. Now we win regularly. We will develop similarly in Tests. So I am saying losing by trying to win won’t help now. Rather by drawing regularly we will learn to win some day. And we will keep winning.”
