Sports Desk:

Bangladesh batting coach David Hemp is happy that his charges did well in the recently-concluded series against Pakistan as a batting unit but he insisted that they have bigger challenges ahead when they take on India in the upcoming two-match Test series this month. he spoke about a lot of things that includes their learning from the Pakistan series and their plan for the next mission. Here are the excerpts:

How do you see the series (against Pakistan)? Can you tell us how Bangladesh played from a batting perspective?

What was pleasing was that, before the series we talked about what we felt was important in terms of how we could win the game from a batting perspective. And identify a few key areas and understand historically what conditions would be like in Pakistan and how Pakistan will likely play, in terms of their approach to take your wickets. So we discussed that in great detail. We also discussed there that we felt we could have been better building on from the last series. So I guess from our point of view, it was important that we wanted it. As an example, we wanted the Pakistani seam Bowlers to come back to bowl spells – three, spells, four, spells, five spells. So we had that purpose around constructing our innings, being really diligent at the start of our individual innings so that we weren’t losing back-to-back wickets. The main key thing is it’s still about the scoring mentality. You still have to look to score. Individuals playing to their strength, always looking to score, but this is a bit understanding what threats are from the opposition bowlers but then more importantly, understanding what your opportunities are to score off those bowlers. And that’s what we did really well throughout the series. Overall, I think across both Tests our decision making as a group was pretty consistent

How do you see Shadman Islam playing an innings like that (93-innings) in his comeback game?

It was obviously pleasing because it was his first game back. Unfortunately, he couldn’t make it to three figures. But his approach was excellent. So he was really patient. Really disciplined, again, played to his strengths and I think that’s important. I keep going back to it. It’s recognising when there’s an opportunity to score and it’s really important that you do take that opportunity because that puts the bowler under pressure. So, understanding your game and knowing what your strength is in terms or your scoring areas. But what he did really well is when there were periods of the game where there were patches. Whenever those patches occurred, he managed to absorb that pressure and that score. That’s what good players do, they absorb pressure. But they also know when scoring opportunities come along; they flip that pressure back to the bowling group. And he did that particularly well in the first Test.

His partner Zakir Hossain is a different kind of batter altogether. How do you make them understand their roles?

They both add value in their own different ways. As you said, Shadman is a different type of player, obviously scores in different areas and he has a different type of approach. Zakir wants to put pressure on the bowler from ball one. The key thing for him is when he sees that scoring opportunity, obviously he commits to it. We saw that again (against Pakistan). That’s really important. That last Test in the evening before the last day, the approach. For us to walk off for 42 was a lot of it was down to his approach which took a big chunk out of the chase on the last day. So it’s really important that the players stick to their strengths and play their natural game. Whether you know you’re an attacking player or more of a defensive player, you still have to make good decisions. Selection of balls to attack or to defend whether they go forward, whether they go back, judging line and length etc. But you only do that if you, if you’re in a positive mindset and both those players played in a positive mindset, but they go about it in different ways.

Miraz is the best number 8 in the world? What really clicked for him?

What we witnessed, he was really aligned to what the team needed at a particular moment, and he stayed disciplined, and we all know that he has the ability to score runs because he plays both sides of the wicket. But what was impressive was his decision making and his ability to not worry about the scoreboard but just to focus on one ball at a time. He participated in some really good partnerships across both tests.

Recently in the media, he said he wants to bat up in the order, do you think that there’s a place for him up in the order in the coming days when seniors will not be there?

Maybe sometime in the future, he certainly has the ability, but obviously at the moment, it’s a really strong unit. You know, we play seven batters and he comes in at number eight. He’s certainly got the game. So obviously we’ll have to see what the balance of the team is and what the makeup of the team looks like in moving forward. If he keeps scoring runs the way he’s doing at number eight, then he’s certainly put his name forward. If there are gaps higher up the order because of players finishing or retiring, then certainly, if he keeps performing the way he’s shown through the series, he’s certainly put his name forward to be considered. Absolutely.

Your next mission is India. What will be the biggest challenge in India?  And do you urge your boys not to carry the baggage of expectations because expectations will totally be sky-high?

Firstly, India at home is a formidable team. This is statistically everyone knows that.  So it goes without saying that they are a very strong side and coupled with that the fact they have some world-class players. So, you know, we’re under no false illusions that it’s going to be a challenge and we’re going to get tested. But what’s really important is to take the confidence and find the learning from the Pakistan series into that series. Remember what we were thinking, what the mindset was and how we prepared, how we simply focused on whether with a bat or ball, just one ball at a time and identify what the team needed at a particular moment. We know it will be difficult, but we’ve got to trust ourselves and believe that we can go there and certainly put India under pressure, both with bat and ball. And then see what sort of translates from that.