Bangladesh begins its preparations to take on the formidable Virat Kohli-led Indians in the one-off Test match (February 9 to 13) when it plays India-A in a two-day practice game at the Gymkhana ground from Sunday.
The visitors should have happy memories of the City as they recorded their first-ever ODI win with a victory over Kenya in the Coca Cola Cup tri-series in May 1998.
Think-tank’s commitment
When West Indian fast-bowling legend Courtney Walsh walked across to share a few thoughts with the Bangladesh pacers, including the 21-year-old Taskin Ahmed, it was perhaps a sign of the commitment of the team’s think-tank to find the right balance in the pace attack.
Taskin, one of the big hopes in the Bangladesh pace attack, was suspended for suspect action early last year but was cleared later. And he has someone like Walsh now — known for his clean action and great sportsman spirit — for guidance.
“Well, we are fortunate to have someone like him. I felt great when he said nothing wrong with my action. We (all the bowlers) are taking lot of tips to be better. You can always learn when you have someone like him around.
“With all of us being different kinds of fast bowlers, he is taking care of us in different ways individually too,” said Taskin after a long grind in the nets.
“It is a huge opportunity and we are all keen to make optimum use of his experience and class,” he added.
Taskin, who had a sensational ODI debut two years ago against India taking five for 28, is conscious of the fact that the subcontinent pitches are generally flat which offer turn as the match progresses and the fast bowlers have to put in lot of hard work.
Mustafizur will be missed
“Yes, we will miss Mustafizur Rahman, who is injured (the star left-arm fast bowler was part of the victorious Sunrisers Hyderabad team in the last IPL),” the pacer said.
Taskin not only focused only his bowling at the nets at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium on Saturday but also wielded the willow for a pretty long session as the brains-trust wants the lower-order too to chip in with useful contributions.
Taskin is eagerly awaiting the big day when he will bowl to the likes of Kohli and M.S. Dhoni. “It is a huge challenge and let me remind that we don’t look at them as individuals when we bowl to them in a match. Only when we get the wickets and think about it at the end of the day’s play we realise their stature and feel great,” he said.
Lacking experience
The Bangladesh pacer, who had a forgetful debut Test series in New Zealand recently with two wickets in two Tests, admitted that his side doesn’t have the experience to take on India, arguably one of the best teams in contemporary cricket now.
“We are aware that sticking to basics like line, length and variations are the key for any bowler to succeed, especially in these conditions. We are working out strategies and hope they will be executed on the field in the Test match,” he said.
Meanwhile, the India-A team led by Abhinav Mukund had a workout at Gymkhana.
