Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo vowed to be competitive against India when they take on the side in the first of the two-match Test series at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram on Wednesday.
The match will start at 9:30 a.m. and GTV, T Sports will televise the game live.
‘It is a home series so my expectation is for us to be competitive. We want to take the game to the fifth day. Realistically we have a chance to beat them if we play really well,’ he said on Tuesday in Chattogram.
‘We have done it for periods of time in Test series in the last year but not for long enough. We know it’s a tough series, but I expect us to push India really hard in this series,’ he added.
He also directed his bowling unit to bowl with patience and discipline while remaining calm under pressure.
‘We have to bowl with discipline and patience. Stay calm in the pressure moments. We have to find ways to not lose first before we find that winning formula.’
Bangladesh, who have featured in 134 Tests until today have only managed 16 wins and 18 draws. And against their Indian counterparts, they failed to seal a single victory in 11 ties but could draw two games.
As a result, the South African coach forewarned his charges about the touring team's ability to change the momentum of a match.
‘We get too easily beaten in this format. I think India are also an orthodox team in Tests, but they have players who can take the game away from you very quickly.’
He also thinks that Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan who was sent to nearby hospital in Chattogram, for a medical chak-up on the back if his ribs complications that he suffered during the second ODI would feature in the game.
‘We are still assessing him. We will make a call later in the afternoon. We hope he is okay. He is still struggling with his ribs and shoulder.’
The 48-year-old also revealed that they are not going to include their key pacer, Taskin Ahmed, as he was given pain-relief injections because of his chronic back pain. But he hinted at including the uncapped Zakir Hasan in the playing XI.
‘We are not going to risk Taskin in the first Test. He has come off a layoff and few injections.I have been very excited by (Zakir). He has good energyHopefully he can get off to a good, quick start tomorrow.’
