Bangladesh’s cricket squad held a lengthy discussion Wednesday to discuss their batting and bowling performances in the first Test against New Zealand. Head coach Chandika Hathurusingha feels they were vigilant against complacency, and senior players such as Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque had emotional conversations in the dressing room to send a message to the rest of the team.
“I don’t see any complacency in this team.” I will have a one-on-one conversation with everyone who exhibits complacency. We had a terrific talk in the locker room yesterday. Strong and seasoned leaders such as Mushy and Mominul talked passionately. They conversed in Bengali. “I see no tall poppies in the dressing room,” the head coach stated at a press conference before of the second Test in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Bangladesh’s opening innings in the first Test against New Zealand in Sylhet drew criticism for some of the batters’ approach. Hathurusingha, on the other hand, stated that the club had planned for a specific approach in the first innings, even if he hoped for more runs in that innings. He was confident that his team will not be complacent in the second Test.
Top-order batting would be critical for the Tigers to secure a historic Test series victory over the Kiwis.
Bangladesh were 180 for two in the first innings in Sylhet but collapsed to 310 all out, raising concerns about the batters’ approach. The aggressive style of stand-in skipper Najmul Hossain in that innings was examined, and he was out to a Glenn Phillips full-toss in that innings.
Bangladesh’s approach improved in the second innings, however Hathurusingha revealed that the strategy of scoring rapidly was a plan in the first innings. The strategy was devised with the understanding that the wicket would be challenging in the latter stages of the Test. However, during the first Test, Bangladesh arguably had the better batting conditions.
“Our batting in the second inning was critical to our victory.” “We had two 90-plus partnership — Mominul in both of them,” the coach remarked of the second innings that set up the Tigers’ victory.
“We could have scored a few more runs in the first innings, but we decided to take a different approach when the wicket is good.” When you approach things in this manner, things can go your way. It can work against you at times. We played in accordance with the circumstances and our game plan. “I’m pleased with how both innings went,” he continued.