Bangladesh batsman Najmul Hossain Shanto said that there is no point in pondering over the hot and humid weather of Sri Lanka and that the team that will be able to keep their patience and bat long will taste success in their upcoming two-Test series against the Island nation.
Bangladesh played the first day of their only two-day inter-squad warm-up match at Katunayake today and it was a good day for the batters. The likes of Tamim Iqbal, Saif Hassan, Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim and Nurul Hasan Sohan were all able to prevail in the hot and humid Lankan conditions and score some runs that ought to boost their confidence ahead of the tough series.
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“It [the weather] is challenging but there is nothing much to say about it as we have to play in this weather. The bowlers did well early in the day today but after 20-25 overs it became easier to bat,” said Shanto during a BCB-recorded video message after the game today.
The left-hander also mentioned that they would need to focus on their game more and not think about the weather.
“I think Tamim [Iqbal] bhai, Saif [Hassan], I and others who batted today were able to bat maintaining a good shape and were also able to adjust to the conditions pretty well. Still it’s difficult but we had two or three practice sessions, played [in the first day of] the warm-up game today and there is another day to be played tomorrow. So, we are trying to adjust to the weather and there is no option for us to ponder over the weather too much. We need to play in this condition,” the left-hander added.
Bangladesh have had a rough time since the resumption of international cricket after the Covid-19 pandemic halted the game and the Tigers are under tremendous pressure to put up better showings in the island nation. The Tigers went on the tour of Sri Lanka on the back of some bleak performances, losing 2-0 in Tests against West Indies at home earlier this year before being whitewashed in both ODIs and T20Is away to New Zealand last month.
And according to Shanto, the batsmen would need to keep their patience and bat long if they are to put an end to their abysmal run of form.
“The team that will keep patience and bat long will have the greater chance of being successful in Tests. If we go about our game session by session then it will be easier for us and that’s the plan,” Shanto concluded.
