Photo: Collected
National team spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed believes Bangladesh’s chances of playing in the final of the ICC Test Championship are now quite bright. In his view, Bangladesh now have the ability to beat any team in the world in any conditions, whether at home or abroad. He sees the cricketers’ mental toughness and confidence as the root of this improvement.
Bangladesh are now fourth in the ICC Test Championship table. Only the three former champions are above them in this cycle. India, who are behind, also still have a chance of reaching the final, however.
Mushtaq said, ‘Inshallah it is possible, why not? We are in a good position. We have to play well, we have to play with belief.’
But the road is not easy. Two Tests have to be played in South Africa, and the fear is mainly around these two matches. However, the confidence of Shanto’s team has grown after beating Australia on their soil. Citing the example of his own spin department, Mushtaq said, ‘To do well at the international level, you have to understand the conditions. The ball turns in Asia, it will not turn like that in Australia. So you have to bowl understanding the conditions. The more sweat you shed in practice keeping these things in mind, the easier it will be to play in the match. The pacers are doing well, the batters are doing well too. Everyone is clicking.’
While serving in a part-time role in England, he had also told the media there that Bangladesh are now capable of winning Tests on foreign soil. In Mushtaq’s words, ‘I told the England media that Bangladesh can go to Australia and beat Australia. International cricket is not a stage for improving, you have to go there to perform. Development is happening now; this is the place to bring out the best of the player.’
Putting extra emphasis on mental strength alongside skill, the Pakistani legend said, ‘Mental strength is very much needed. Fifty percent of the game is a mind game. In fact, the game has to be played with the head. I have played too. If you are well mentally and your basics are right, you will play well.’
Highlighting the importance of confidence in international cricket, he further said, ‘International cricket is all about mindset. You have to keep belief, and Bangladesh are now getting the result of that belief. By the grace of Allah, we can now beat any team. There is skill, there are players, there is belief too. With this belief, Australia can be beaten in Australia, England in England, South Africa in South Africa.’
As an example, the coach recalled the Tigers’ success against his own country Pakistan, ‘We won Tests on green wickets in Pakistan. Then when they came here, we beat them on a green pitch, not a turning one. The spinners are turning the ball even on green pitches. You can win only when there is no fear of losing. As coaches, changing this mindset is our job. The credit for this goes to all stakeholders including the selectors, coaches and players. They believe we can now challenge any team.’
