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‘We now have many different heroes in the team’
In the second and final part of an exclusive interview with The Daily Star’s Mazhar Uddin , Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha talked about the thought process behind approaching any particular opponent, the Tigers’ chances in the upcoming major events and the change in mentality of the team as a unit among other topics. The excerpts of the interview are as follows:
The Daily Star (DS): You talked about exploiting home conditions keeping in mind the strengths of the opposition. Is using seam-friendly pitches at home, as it was during the recent Afghanistan Test, part of the plan to do better in away Tests?
Chandika Hathurusingha (CH): No. The nature of the surface is adjusted depending on how we want to play against certain opponents. We can work in the nets and training facilities to improve the skill level. Sporting wickets are also being prepared during the NCL and BCL. But we can not think of just playing on seam-friendly pitches in order to play well abroad. It depends on our strengths. If I did not have fast bowlers, then there would be no point in preparing a seaming pitch. But now we have that. If I want spin from the surface, I can have spin-conducive pitches as I have spinners in my team. Tactically, we can play however we want. It would depend on the opposition’s strengths and limitations.
DS: You said that Bangladesh have the best opportunity to do something special in the forthcoming Asia Cup. Considering the strength of teams like India and Pakistan, where do Bangladesh stand?
CH: I think we are in such a position that if we can play our best cricket, we can do something special. I know the rankings do not lie and we are ranked number eighth [seventh in ODIs] . We don’t have to fool ourselves. But I know that we have the skill and talent to compete with anyone on a given day and that’s what I meant. This is an opportunity for us to do something special.
DS: Bangladesh reached the quarterfinal of the 2015 ODI World Cup during your first stint as coach. We have since been optimistic of our chances prior to major events. However, optimism has been kept in check this time as the team, despite being in form, has repeatedly cracked under pressure when the stakes were high. Do you think the collective mental strength of the team has now reached to a level that fans can really dream big this time?
CH: Fans always have expectations. That’s why they are fans. I want them to have hope because we want them to support our team. In 2015, I think we played beyond our capabilities. We beat England [to reach the quartefinal] and we had some good momentum. We played well in the Champions Trophy [in 2017] -- reaching the semifinal by beating New Zealand in foreign conditions. At that time, we believed that we could go a step further. We nearly beat India in 2016 [T20 World Cup]. This time, the tournament is very different because we play every team and have nine games. So you can’t have an off day. So, it will be a tough challenge. We might be given the favourites’ tag considering that we are third in the ODI Super League. But it will not be counted once we go to the World Cup. I think we have the capability to do well and that’s what I am banking on.
DS: Can we handle pressure in crunch situations?
CH: It is in human nature to handle pressure. For instance, let’s say with all the structure in place, you go to a jungle. The moment somebody shouts there is a lion nearby, everyone will jump and start running. The human instinct is to survive. It is similar in sports as well. Whenever in pressure situations, players follow their instinct. And that’s where the structure and the game plan become important. That’s what I am trying to do -- having a team culture, structure, and particular tactics in place. Instead of letting the pressure consume you, doing the boring stuff that you always do during practice sessions will give you the best chance to be successful. I am trying to bring that change -- that players do not become stiff and not do anything during pressure situations.
DS: It seems Bangladesh often tend to rely on the individual heroics of Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, or Mushfiqur Rahim. Do you think this needs to change?
CH: Look, I can not comment on how the fans or other people perceive it. Looking at the last few series, we can see there were so many different heroes. I don’t think Shakib or Tamim were involved in winning major tournaments. In the India series, who was the man of the series? It was [Mehedi Hasan] Miraz. You don’t have to worry about only one or two people now as we have a good team.
DS: Players like Shakib, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Tamim are approaching the end of their careers. Are you focusing on developing the leadership aspects of others? Do you feel the likes of [Najmul Hossain] Shanto, Liton [Das], Miraz and Taskin [Ahmed] have gained enough experience to fill those big shoes?
CH: I think the board has already put Liton in charge of some games while Shanto was the vice-captain. Miraz was also the vice-captain in some series. I don’t think they have to develop and from what I see, they are already leading by action. Shanto, Miraz, Taijul [Islam], Taskin, Ebadot [Hossain] are all leading by action. I think they are ready.
DS: There was this belief from within the board and fans that you are probably the right person to take Bangladesh cricket to the next stage as a coach. So, there’s a lot of expectation. Do you realise that?
CH: I have my own expectations -- things that I can control. I can not control other people’s expectations. I am glad that they think I am capable of doing that and it is good to hear. My own expectations are really high but at the same time, I am very practical. All I can ask is for the players to be pushing themselves to get better.
DS: We played a Test in England 13 years ago and in Australia 20 years back. How difficult is it to become a good Test unit and compete with the big teams, considering the fact that Bangladesh do not play enough Tests?
CH: 100 per cent. You can not get better if you are not doing something and we need to do something. It is really a disadvantage for us and unfortunate that the players are expected to do wonders during a 30-day tour. Even the best teams like Australia struggle in subcontinental conditions. They learn and get better on their 15th tour. [Having more away Test fixtures] It is something beyond our control, unfortunately.