Buoyant BD eye forceful show in final Test

DHAKA: For Bangladesh pulling off a draw after conceding a big lead against Pakistan in the first Test was like victory.
The hosts now believe that the momentum is with them ahead of the second and final Test that gets underway in Mirpur from Wednesday (tomorrow).
Bangladesh’s coach Chandika Hathurusingha believes that the brilliant performance by Bangladesh in the second innings of the opening Test will inspire the side to build on a brilliant run of form.
Considered one of the minnows among the 10 Test playing nations, Bangladesh’s realistic goal at previous World Cups had always been to beat teams ranked lower than themselves while trying to cause an upset against one of the major sides.
However, they performed admirably at the recent tournament co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, ousting England in the group phase and reaching the quarter-finals for the first time.
Despite bowing out to powerhouse India, if that showing was not enough to convince all about their rising stock in world cricket, Bangladesh silenced many of the remaining doubters with their recent results against Pakistan at home.
After beating Pakistan in a One-day International for the first time in 16 years, the hosts went on to blank the tourists 3-0 in the series and followed that up with a maiden Twenty20 victory against the opponents.
Although Pakistan had been weakened by the retirements of senior players and the unavailability of some frontline batsmen and bowlers due to injuries, the margins of victory underlined Bangladesh’s utter dominance.
The hosts then came into the two-Test series having lost all their previous eight matches against Pakistan and that record looked set to continue before they overhauled a huge first innings deficit to force an incredible draw at Khulna.
Tamim Iqbal scored a double century and Imrul Kayes 150 in a record opening stand of 312 as Bangladesh overhauled a deficit of 296 after Pakistan’s mammoth first innings total of 628.
“I think it is a very big turning point in Bangladesh cricket,” Hathurusingha said.
“We recently made some history but it is mostly beating our own records. The significance here is the biggest opening partnership in the second innings.
“We have really made a mark in the international stage that we have come of age. The last two days have proved that we are a very competitive side.”
Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim hoped the result would spur them on to achieve even better results in the future, starting with the second Test.
“We dominated this draw and it was nothing less than a win, against such a team and with 296 runs behind,” Rahim said.
“Such a performance gives you belief as a group that we can overcome future goals.
“There is no end to improvement.”
Meanwhile, Rubel Hossain, the Bangladesh fast bowler, will not be playing in the second Test against Pakistan due to a side strain. Abul Hasan will be his like-for-like replacement.
Rubel looked to be in some discomfort while bowling during the fourth day of the Khulna Test. A scan confirmed he has a Grade 1 left-side strain.
“It takes about three to four weeks to recover from such injuries. Rubel will begin his rehab in the next couple of days,” said Bangladesh physio Bayjedul Islam.
Abul has not played a Test in more than two years though he had played the first ODI against Pakistan in place of the suspended Mashrafe Mortaza. In the interim, he took a four-wicket haul in a first-class match for East Zone.