Mominul banks on pacers for 'big impact' in Sri Lanka

Mominul Haque, the Bangladesh Test skipper, said on Tuesday that pacers will play a big role to play in the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka and added that they need to be mentally and physically prepared to take the challenge.

Bangladesh picked four pace bowlers in the 15-member squad - Taskin Ahmed, Ebadat Hossain, Abu Jayed and uncapped Shoriful Islam Rahi - for the first Test, and according to the team management, they are expecting to field three pacers in the XI, given the surface is expected to have some grass.

It was learnt that along with Jayed and Taskin, either Ebadat or Shoriful will make the cut in the playing XI in the opening Test, scheduled to be played in Pallekele from April 21.

"I'd say the pacers are going to have a big impact in the upcoming series,'' Mominul told reporters in a virtual press conference ahead of the series opener on Tuesday. "I'm depending mostly on the experienced campaigners, like Rahi (Abu Jayed), Ebadot (Hossain), and Taskin (Ahmed) as they are the pacers to depend on but there are couple of new guys as well. For me, those who have been playing regularly [will hold the key].

"We are going to have a pace-dependent bowling attack, but I don't think it will compromise our bowling strength. It will in fact encourage the pacers to be more competitive,'' he said.

Mominul added that though the team did not have an ideal preparation, there's no point worrying over it, and said that they rather spend the energy in making the required adjustments for the series

BCB had made it mandatory that all cricketers will have to play two rounds of their first-class tournament to be eligible for the Test side but an exception was made for the players joining the squad after the tour of New Zealand.

Liton Das, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Najmul Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam joined the 15-member squad without playing any competitive red-ball cricket since they were part of the New Zealand tour, which comprised of three ODIs and three T20Is. Their only practice match was limited to a two-day intra-squad game.

"I wouldn't say that we have the best possible preparation, but according to the condition, we couldn't have had it any better. We have had practice sessions, practice matches and we need to be at our 100% physically as well mentally if we are to represent our country,'' said Mominul. "Rather than thinking about what had happened we are considering being positive."

Mominul also added that he isn't worried about the team's fielding performance in New Zealand, where they dropped 10 catches. He believes the conditions will be different even for the fielders in Sri Lanka.

"Conditions in New Zealand are far different than the Sri Lankan conditions. We can adjust to Sri Lankan better as they are similar to what we have [in Bangladesh]. About the fielding, we have left the New Zealand series far behind us, and it's not like we are making those mistakes in every match. The players are trying their heart and soul to do better, and I'm positive that we will make a comeback,'' said the left-handed batsman.

Mominul also added that he is not under any pressure despite having a skewed record as a batsman in conditions away from home. "I'm under no pressure whatsoever, and the same goes for my team. We have come here to win matches, so we are going to give our all to do that. Obviously, Sri Lanka is a very good team and we couldn't do well in our last two Test matches; but still, we aren't considering looking into the rearview mirror. If we can keep our process at the right place and play good cricket for five days, then InshaAllah we will win.

"As the skipper, I want all the batsmen to bat with responsibilities, and all the fielders to give their hundred percent in the field. I'm not concerned about my batting position, as people will talk about whether you do good or bad. I need to be able to take that criticism, as I have always given my hundred percent when I've played for my country, whether it's at home or abroad.

"We should definitely hope for the best, as we didn't come here just to participate. We need to be able to think about winning, no matter what the condition, situation, or opposition is; and we'd grace the field with this determination,'' he said.

Source: Cricbuzz