We want to see where we are at and find out the gap that we have to bridge – Chandika Hathurusingha

In the three-match ODI series against England, Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha is not ready to put too much pressure on his players while the coach wants to use the opportunity to “find out the gap” between the teams and figure out how to close it.

In the three-match ODI series against England, Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha is not ready to put too much pressure on his players. Instead, the head coach wants to use the opportunity to “find out the gap” between the teams and figure out how to close it.

“If we have to lift ourselves for (England), that’s not the right motivation. We are playing for the national team; we always want to do well. They are the world champions. They have one team playing somewhere else, they have another team here. They have a mind-blowing depth of talent. We want to see where we are at and find out the gap that we have to bridge. If we do well in these conditions, it will give us confidence,”

Hathurusingha told reporters ahead of the series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday.

“I think we are well prepared in the last few days. We had practice match and match scenario sessions. I was very impressed with the commitment shown by the players. I think they are very much ready,”

he added.

Bangladesh can take confidence from the fact that they won seven successive ODI series at home since losing a three-match ODI series 1-2 against the same opposition in 2016. 

Along with that, they have also consistently performed in the ODI format abroad as well. But Hathurusingha wasn’t ready to go overboard.

“We are playing full strength. I don’t think they have come to their full strength. Some of them are playing Test cricket. I back our skills and strength. Saying that they have had incredible (laughs) strength in the last ten years or so,”

he said, adding that the challenge will be to handle English pace attack.

“They have one of the best pace attacks in the world. They have five fast bowlers and three spinners on this tour. The challenge will be to play their fast bowlers in this series.

“They have developed great depth in English cricket. They are the envy of every Test-playing nation. I am hoping that by the end of my tenure, we can leave something behind.”

Hathurusingha enjoyed great success during his first term, which ended six years ago, thanks to Mustafizur Rahman, but the cutter maestro seems to have somewhat lost his charm. Now the man who gave Mustafizur his international break looks confident that the pacer will do well again.

“When he (Mustafizur) is in form, he is one of the world’s best bowlers. We won the India series (three-match ODI series in 2015) when he started. He is coming back to that form now,”

said Hathurusingha.

“He bowled well in the recent India series too. He always bowls in crucial moments, so we will try to use him as a strike bowler.

Hathurusingha added that he is not too concerned regarding the rift between Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, something that was revealed by Cricbuzz, as long as it is not affecting the game.

“I have been on the job for seven days. I have been in dressing rooms and I have been in teams where everyone doesn’t get along. Still, when they step out, they play as a team. When you play for your national team, that’s what you expect. You don’t need to be the best of friends to go out and have dinner. As long as it is not affecting (the team), I don’t see it as a problem,”

said Hathurusingha. ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal had echoed the same sentiments earlier.

Hathurusingha also said that he feels now is the time to form a leadership team for the next generation. After a practice session, Hathurusingha had a long meeting with six cricketers at the SBNS, including Tamim, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, the three available seniors along with Liton Das, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, and Najmul Hossain Shanto.

“It is not a challenge. It is a duty. As we know that our top four seniors have played for 15-17 years. They won’t play for another 10 years. We need to bring up all the next generation of leadership now itself. I don’t have to pick them. They pick themselves in terms of how they behave and perform. Litton, Miraz, and Shanto were there as well. Taskin and Fizz were in the gym,”

he said.

“They are putting their hands up in terms of their attitude, how they prepare and behave in the dressing room, and also their performance, to be the leaders for the next phase of Bangladesh cricket.“They have improved in terms of understanding their roles. Mainly I was impressed with how they take ownership of how they want to prepare. I am very pleased about it. Even the youngsters, you don’t need to guide them too much. They know how to prepare and know their various roles,”

he concluded.