Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim did not rule out their chance of winning the Test series against South Africa despite going to Mirpur today in the second and final Test as clear underdogs.
The Proteas are formidable opponents in Tests not just for Bangladesh but for many other sides, which is reflected in their rankings as well.
By far the best Test team in the world, the visiting side also has an outstanding record against sub- continental teams, who could not beat them in a Test series for nearly a decade.
But Bangladesh, buoyed on by their success in the three-match one-day international series and a dominating draw in Chittagong, started believing that they can turn the formbook upside down in Mirpur.
‘We always have the target to play well for five days,’ Mushfiq said in his pre-Test press conference on Wednesday. It’s not that we can win in just one day, so we need to consistent and that is a big challenge.
‘It is an opportunity against world number one team and put them into pressure. We almost dominated them in every sessions of the last match and we have the capability to pick 20 wickets.
If we can do that there could be a good result. And you all know what the best possible outcome is. Bangladesh might win the series by 1-0 margin.’
Beaten in the one-day international series by 2-1 and dominated in the opening Test, Mushfiq is aware that South Africa will do everything they could to win the game and the Test series.
‘We are yet to play good cricket at consistent rate in Tests,’ said Mushfiq.’ But if you see our recent form, you will probably find we are playing good cricket in both formats.
‘It gives us huge confidence. Bowlers got belief that they can bowl out a team of the caliber of South Africa and that too for a poor score. In Test, 248 run is really a small total.
‘From that point of view I would say everyone is confident. I would like to reflect it in our performance in the next match. This is their last match of their tour.
South Africa knows how to handle a situation like this. They are the number one side in Test and they tend to bowl in a planned way. If we can apply ourselves we can take the result in our favour. In that case we can even win the series.
Musfiq added that their character will be tested as the match will mark the end of their long season starting from October last year when they hosted Zimbabwe for three Tests and five ODIs.
‘Everyone is eager to perform because we are going to complete a long season through this match,’ said Mushfiq. ‘In the past it was noted that we used to be a bit relaxed once we are at the end of completing a series oblivious of our responsibilities,’ he said.
‘We had kept that in our head. Everyone is told that it’s a Test match and you need to be concentrating for five days. It might be straining mentally but we can take the pressure and you have noticed that in the last Test match,’
‘We know this Test match will be more challenging but we are ready for it. We want to see how well we can perform against the number-one ranked Test team in the world,’ he said.
Source: New Age