In their bilateral cricket history, India and Bangladesh have faced off in seven Tests, with India winning six and one ending in a tame draw. Bilateral Test cricket relations between the neighbours came into existence almost 15 years ago, and never in the history has it happened that Bangladesh has been able to challenge India’s might in the longest format. But this time around, the scenerio is likely to be a bit different as Bangladesh Test skipper Mushfiqur Rahim said he expected his team to give the tourists a close fight in the one-off Test against India starting from June 10 at Fatullah.
What is Bangladesh’s target in the Test and what will be your batting position?
Mushfiqur Rahim : We always try to play good cricket. So will be our prime target in this match as well. Despite playing good cricket in the first math of the last home series against Pakistan, we had to suffer aa defeat in the next one. But this time we will play for a win. We may think of a draw only if situation doesn’t go in favour of us. And it will be our main target. Our bowling department has the ability to take 20 wickets. Beside that, we will also have to put up a good show with the bat. This match will be very challenging for our batsmen. As we are not getting Mahmudullah here, probably I will get myself promoted up to the order.
After a long time, Bangladesh are going to play with a quality pace attack. Does the change of the wicket prove the potential of the new-look Bangladesh?
Rahim : It’s nothing like that. We had a good pace attack in the World Cup as well. Even our players were able to perform well against Pakistan. The wicket here in Fatullah is a bit different. The weather is also different from any other time of the year. It’s very hot here. So we will take the field with a balanced and fully fit squad. We haven’t selected the final eleven for the match yet. It will be finalized on the match day after the completion of formulating our last minute tactics.