Mominul Haque, Bangladesh Test Captain, has the huge task of responsibility of changing Bangladesh’s energy in and out of the dressing room. There has been an air of hatred around the team for the past two months. Nine defeats, heated press conferences and public negativity in the T20 World Cup was followed by the same treatment during the T20I series against Pakistan in Dhaka.
Everything from the cricket team, the board, and the overall structure and culture of Bangladesh cricket has come into criticism. People are demanding to change the players or the officers in charge, ultimately criticizing the work environment of the players.
We must back each other in these tough times – Mominul
“This is not the first time Bangladesh has gone through such a phase,” Mominul said. “We have overcome such situations before too. People become mentally weak, because they take outside talk seriously. My job is to bring back focus from thinking about what everyone is saying, and focusing on our job. We have to back each other. You cannot shut anyone’s mouth but I think you can shut off your own ears.”
Due to the long list of injured players like Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan and the young promising Taskin Ahmed, Bangladesh’s job has become harder than ever.
“I don’t want to call it a difficult challenge. ‘Difficult’ has a negative meaning. I don’t want to see it negatively. Tamim bhai gives us good starts that we have often capitalised on. Shakib is two players in one. Taskin has been bowling well recently.
“We are effectively missing four players. It makes my captaincy a bit more challenging but Mushfiq bhai and I have to take on the added responsibility.”
Mominul shows faith in Liton Das
Owing to his poor run of form in T20 World Cup, Liton Das was left out of the Pakistan series. He has been included in the Test squad, and Mominul believes there will be change in fortunes for Liton.
“There’s a big difference between Tests and T20Is. When we keep mentioning T20s, it becomes difficult for me. I think Liton has overcome the (mental aspect) of it. He has averaged 45-50 in Tests in the last 12 months. I think he can handle it well. He had a mental break. Everyone is supporting him.”
We definitely have long-term plans in Tests – Mominul
The road for Bangladesh’s Test Cricket looks to be tough. Mahmudullah has drawn curtains on his Test Career. Shakib Al Hasan was injured throughout the 2019-21 WTC cycle. He has not recovered from his hamstring injury he sustained during T20 World Cup. All these burdens on the selectors to look for youngsters and groom them.
“Everyone wants results. Not just me. I think it is a good opportunity for the youngsters. You will get a picture of the direction our Test team is taking in this, and some of the future series. We definitely have long-term plans in Tests. We want to build slowly, and within a series or two we will know where our Test team stands.”
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