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Objectives vary for Shakib and Rashid

Mazhar Uddin from chattogram There is always a lot of speculation about game planning and probable strategies of teams before any international game and when it comes to five-day cricket, the nuances and variables only increase. However, during press conferences no captain would want to disclose or even elaborate on their plans and that was the case for both Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan and his Afghan counterpart Rashid Khan at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram yesterday. There ivere however some key points and hints during the press meet that gave an inkling about the probable strategies of the sides for the one-off Test beginning in the port city from today.
BANGLADESH CAPTAIN SHAKIB AL HASAN
Trying to exploit opposition's weakness
Reluctant to reveal his plans for the opposition, Shakib did hint that the Tigers were looking to exploit Afghanistan's weakness, which has remained the batting department, partly due to their aggressive style of play that is more attuned to limited-overs cricket. The hosts will be willing to test the patience and concentration levels of the Afghan batters - two major components of Test cricket. The experienced cricketer also had his eyes on Afghanistan's A team tour to Bangladesh in July, when the visitors displayed commendable patience with the bat.
"I think it's an important point but still we have to take into account the patience their openers showed during the A teams' tour and even in the two-day warm-up match (Afghanistan XI against BCB XI, September 1-2]. We will take everything into consideration and what we need is to do the basics right and if we are able to keep our focus, 1 think we can do something good," Shakib said.
Not bothered fielding one seamer The spin-heavy strategy at home has paid dividends for Bangladesh over the past three years and there is once again talk of whether the Tigers would be heavily armed with spinners. Critics have pointed out that a lack of exposure for pacers at home - in their last 10 home Tests, they have fielded just one pacer in seven games
and none in their most recent — hurts the Tigers abroad. Not bothered about such critics, Shakib pointed out the importance of winning the game by making the best of conditions than anything else. He added that it was also up to the pacers to earn places in the team through performance.
Batting will make the difference There have been talk about the battle between the spinners of the sides and the Test was even termed as a Shakib-Rashid battle, but Shakib said that it was the batting that would make the difference.
"Look, we have been bowling well at home and whenever our spinners got suitable wickets they have done well. But having said that, they also have quality spinners and I think it's the batting of the two sides that will make the difference," he said.
back on track
It was evident that Shakib had been observing the performances of the Bangladesh's age-level, High Performance and A teams recently, all of which had generally been below-par, much like the Tigers' own underwhelming show in the ICC World Cup this year. For Shakib, a Test win against Afghanistan - whether it was a 10-wicket or a one-wicket win - would help Bangladesh cricket get back on track.
He, however, did pay his newest opposition their due respect. "Whenever we played our first Test against any opposition, we were the underdogs and did not have any particular strength which would cause them concern. Afghanistan, however, are different because they have the spin strength that we have to think about."
AFGHANISTAN CAPTAIN RASHID KHAN
Remain Calm
Afghanistan have already established themselves as one of the exciting teams in limited-overs cricket for their aggressive approach and attitude. Ahead of just their third Test, however, skipper Rashid tried to downplay all the aggression and stressed on the need to remain calm as being the key for his side. He seemed keen to play Test cricket in the appropriate manner and was also not shy of putting Bangladesh ahead in terms of experience.
"Bangladesh are much more experienced than us as they played more than 100 Tests and you keep learning in each and every game.
"This format is new for us but definitely we have the talent and
skill and we just need to make sure we play positive cricket, play to our strengths and believe in ourselves. This game is all about patience and remaining calm — once we do that the result will be positive," said Rashid.
Getting into the Test groove
It will be a huge challenge for Afghanistan to identify and adapt to the pace of five-day cricket. Although Rashid said that once they gain momentum they could beat any side in the world, he did add that it takes more matches and years to get used to Test cricket.
Much like Bangladesh when they stepped into the Test arena, Afghanistan are keener on learning than just looking to win a Test match.
Taking confidence from the maiden Test win over Ireland
It took 35 Tests and five years for Bangladesh to win their first ever Test match since playing their inaugural Test in 2000 while Afghanistan needed just two Tests to taste victory against Ireland earlier in March this year, just a year after receiving Test status.
According to Rashid, that win certainly boosted the confidence as the side experienced the process of winning a five-day game.
The best leg-spinner in the world also admitted that his side had no idea what was happening when they played their first Test against India last year and was crushed by an innings and 262 runs inside two days.
Not taking any added pressure as bowler or captain
Undoubtedly, being the best legspinner in the world, there will be high expectations of Rashid to take the leading role with the ball for his side in the longer version cricket as well, especially in conditions expected to suit his bowling.
However, the weight of expectations can prove to be detrimental for Rashid who, at 20, is set to become the youngest captain in Test history.
But he looked confident and said, "When I am bowling, I always focus on my bowling rather than being a captain. I just try to keep enjoying and not try to add extra pressure on myself. If the captain is under pressure, the team will be under the same. I will try to be relaxed, calm and try to enjoy the game."