Mominul wants to set ‘small goals’ for Bangladesh in 2022 and not look far ahead

Starting with the New Zealand tour, Bangladesh would want to improve their record of 2021, in which they lost five of their seven Tests

“For now, we are not thinking about what happens in 2022,” Mominul said on the eve of the first Test in Mount Maunganui. “I am more focused on the current series, how we can do well, and win. It is hard to set goals in this way. We will play in tough conditions – South Africa, West Indies and Sri Lanka. We want to set small goals, rather than thinking too far ahead.

“I am excited about starting well in the new year, rather than thinking about what happened in the past. Starting well gives more chance of doing well in subsequent challenges. I know we haven’t done well in New Zealand, but it is best to be optimistic if we want to do well in the present.

“If I am captain at this time next year, even if the team is at the tenth position, I will say the same thing (that we will have a good 2023). I will always think positively regardless of our situation. I want to take Bangladesh to a better position this year. We want to learn from the mistakes, and we are thinking about doing well.”

“We usually win when we play well as a team, regardless of where we are playing,” Mominul said. “If we don’t combine, I don’t think we can get a good result. I think even if someone scores a hundred or a double-hundred, we need bowlers to take the 20 wickets. Everyone has to chip in, for us to do well.”

“Taskin, Ebadot [Hossain], Rahi (Abu Jayed) and Shoriful have done well recently,” Mominul said. “We also have Khaled [Ahmed] and Shohidul [Islam]. So we have a number of pace bowlers in our midst. I am excited to see them do well, especially how they have improved over the last 12 months.”

“Couple of the guys in our top-order hasn’t played in New Zealand before,” he said. “The ten days practice and warm-up games have been beneficial to accustom to the bounce. It has been excellent learning for the coaching staff to see some of the younger guys, and where they need to improve on. The two-day game was beneficial for the players too.”

Bangladesh’s catching has also been a cause for concern in 2021. Even during their previous New Zealand tour couple of years ago, Bangladesh’s catching had let them down. Mominul said they were working hard on various aspects of catching, and he expects improvement.

“We have to adjust to the crosswinds in New Zealand grounds. We are working hard on the technical and tactical sides of fielding. We don’t have to mention it but we must work on slip catching and those who will do bat-pad, inner circle and in the outfield. I can go ahead with the process, but we have to wait for the result. I am hopeful we will field well.”