“At the moment I feel we are playing not to lose. That mental shift will take a bit of time.”
Bangladesh want a change in mindset to push in the direction of successful Test matches slightly than be glad with attracts, their head coach Russell Domingo has mentioned. The results of the primary Test in Pallekele – the primary attract 29 Tests performed in Sri Lanka – was largely welcomed by Bangladesh, who got here into the collection having misplaced 4 of their final 5 Tests, together with a 2-Zero defeat at residence to an under-strength West Indies.
Domingo mentioned he has sensed a tradition of concern throughout the ranks, which he believes can be eradicated if Bangladesh start difficult themselves in important phases of Test matches. During the primary Test, Bangladesh confirmed indicators of the mindset he hopes to instill, after they picked 5 bowlers together with three quicks and determined to bat first after successful their toss – each choices had been out of character for a facet that is often depending on its spinners and is thought for its safety-first strategy.
“It is disappointing when a drawn Test is seen as a massive success,” Domingo mentioned. “I am not here for drawn Tests. We also don’t want to lose Tests but we should have a mental shift. We have to play to win, and not merely be happy with draws. I have had seven Tests with the team now, I think I understand our team and culture. I know the areas we need to improve on, particularly on the mental side of things in Tests. There’s a long way to go.
“There’s a concern of dropping Tests, and that is one thing that we have to come away from. We have to play to win. At the second I really feel we’re taking part in not to lose. That psychological shift will take a little bit of time. Guys have not been profitable in Tests. Until we alter that mindset, we are going to at all times be okay with mediocrity. It is not one thing I need to be a part of. We need to take the crew ahead and play the sport to win. We have to bat first in powerful situations. We have to declare to give ourselves sufficient time to bowl sides out. Those are the shifts that you simply have to make to develop into a critical Test-playing nation.”
Domingo is in favour of playing five bowlers in the second Test too, but said he would consult with the selection panel and look at the pitch before taking a final decision. “I want to chat with the selectors this afternoon, however I believe [playing six batters and five bowlers] is the best way ahead.
“When you have Shakib [Al Hasan] in the team, it allows you to play seven batters. When you don’t have that allrounder, we have to be brave, and try to have five bowlers who can get us 20 wickets. If it was solely up to me, it would be the way to go, but there’s a panel of selectors that need to be consulted with, and it’s got to be a decision that we all have to support.”
Whether it is going to be the identical tempo mixture from the primary Test – Abu Jayed, Taskin Ahmed and Ebadat Hossain – relies upon largely on how a lot they have recovered from bowling a mixed 70 overs in a single innings within the first Test underneath oppressive warmth and humidity.
“I think they are our three leading fast bowlers at the moment. I would like to keep the same three going but I have to consider their workload from the last Test that ended few days ago,” Domingo mentioned.
“Taskin bowled 30, Ebadat bowled 20 [21] and Rahi (Jayed) bowled 19 overs. I want to make sure they are fresh and ready to give 100 per cent again in a couple of days. We have given them two days off. We just want to see how they feel in today’s light practice.”
Bangladesh’s batting, after a poor run of current performances, was spectacular in Pallekele. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque struck lots of whereas Tamim Iqbal made fifties in every innings; Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das additionally made half-centuries.
“I am very pleased with the way they went about their innings in the first Test,” Domingo mentioned. “Mominul has been a consistent Test performer for a period of time. Eleven Test hundreds is a fantastic achievement.
“I’m actually happy with Shanto that he made a giant rating. It offers him a little bit of belonging within the Test enviornment. It offers him a little bit of confidence that he can do it if he sticks to his gameplan. It is nice to have Tamim play that innings.”
Domingo was adamant Saif Hassan would keep his place at the top of the order despite scoring 0 and 1 in the first Test. “I positively nonetheless need to give Saif Hassan a go,” Domingo said. “Opening the batting is difficult in Tests. A whole lot of openers take a little bit of time to discover their ft.
“We want to provide him with another opportunity tomorrow. It is always nice to have a right and left-hand opening combination. Saif will play tomorrow.”
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84