Captain says if team follows the blueprint that led them to victory in New Zealand in January, they will be fine
Times have changed now. Bangladesh are riding high as a touring side after their famous win over New Zealand in January, not to mention the ODI series win in South Africa last week. So when their captain came out to speak to the press in Durban, he looked like a million bucks.
“South African wickets are helpful towards fast bowlers but regardless of the conditions, we have to bowl well. We have to maintain discipline in our line and length wherever you bowl. You have to put the batters under pressure.”
“We might get some advantage through our experience, but they too will have home advantage. The team that plays well over 15 sessions in the five days, applies enough pressure, bowls and bats well, for the whole game, will end up winning the game. The team that holds on to the pressure better, will do well.”
Regardless of South Africa’s intentions, whenever Bangladesh travel abroad, they prepare to face short bowling and Mominul believes the ploy will certainly come into play, especially later in the game.
“Pace bowlers usually resort to bowling short when other plans haven’t worked for them. They do it for five to ten overs. It is important how you adjust to that length, withstand that pressure. We have a lot of experienced batters in our line-up, and they know how long bowling attacks can bowl at this length.”
Mominul himself has been in good nick off late, but said he will stick to his role of trying to bat out sessions, and keeping his team’s interest ahead of his own. “I don’t have any personal goals in this series. I usually don’t set one. I try to bat session by session, to ensure that I can serve the team to the best of my ability. I try to fulfill the team’s goals.”
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84