Experience will be key against Afghanistan, reckons Miraz
Bangladesh had to wait for five years to taste a victory in Tests, but, Afghanistan needed only a year.
Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz on Sunday reckoned that experience will be the key factor for Bangladesh against their one-off Test against Afghanistan beginning on September 5 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.
Recognizing Afghanistan’s satisfactory performances in ODIs and T20Is, Miraz said: “I think, we’ll be ahead of them in the lone Test as we are more experienced side and test cricket is different from the limited-over game.”
“As we’re experienced, we’ve to play better than them to win the Test match. If we can perform up to the mark and can come up with the expected performance (ability), I think we can seal the victory,” Miraz told the reporters on Sunday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Afghanistan have played only two Tests till the date. They were inducted in Test cricket last year against India. They lost their first Test match by an innings and 262 runs. Later, Afghanistan registered their first-ever win in Test cricket against Ireland.
Bangladesh had to wait for five years to taste a victory in Tests, but, Afghanistan needed only a year. However, given their experiences in the most prestigious form of the game, Miraz believes Bangladesh should dominate over the Afghans.
“We should dominate against them in Test cricket. We’ve played a lot of cricket in the last few years. During this time, we also did well. So, if we can perform as per our usual strength, we must come up victorious against them,” Miraz added.
Instead of Sher-e-Bangla, BCB arranged the lone Test in Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram because of their pace-dominated plan in the match. Afghanistan have some world-class spinners who can turn the match at any moment. BCB is looked loath to give them that chance. Miraz also backed the move of the board.
Earlier, the chairman of cricket operations in the BCB - Akram Khan - told the media that BCB is trying to provide with the grassy wicket in Chattogram so that the Bangladeshi pacers can exploit the condition.
In that case, Miraz might not be selected in the playing XI as Bangladesh have two spinners in Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul Islam.
However, Miraz said he is not bothered much with the notion of being selected in the playing XI. He said: “As spinners, I’m confident to do my job at any condition. I’m confident to take any challenge as well. At the end of the day, we have to do things which are important for the team.”
