The forthcoming one-day series against Afghanistan is going to be an ideal platform for the build-up of the Bangladesh national cricket team ahead of the approaching ICC World Cup starting in the latter part of this year in India, according to their assistant coach Nic Pothas.
Following the one-off Test against the visitors, the home side is all set to play three ODIs that will take place at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram, on July 5, 8, and 11.
‘Look, all of this is part of a much bigger picture. The big picture is obviously the World Cup, the Asia Cup. We cannot wish for better preparation for that than a series against Afghanistan,’ said Nic on Saturday in Mirpur.
Amid the availability of the likes of star campaigners Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, Mohammd Nabi, and Fazalhaq Farooqi, the touring board has returned their world class wrist spinner Rashid Khan to the 19-man squad, who was given rest from the red-ball cricket against the host Bangladesh.
Apart from Rashid, Izharulhaq Naveed, the leg-spinner who impressed in the last Big Bash, has been given a maiden ODI call-up.
Besides them, the visiting board also named 10 players who will form the reserves for their future ODIs and the World Cup.
‘They are a very, very good one-day team. A lot of their main players will now be fresh. They've gone away. They've had a break. They're going to come back. They're a very, very proud nation.’
After securing the massive 546-run win against the Afghans in the lone Test in the last week, a few Bangladesh campaigners affirmed that it would pave their way to dominating their counterparts in the upcoming ODIs as well.
However, the 49-year-old South African reversed the notion, adding that given the home crowd as well as the country’s media, they are expected to feature in the games under huge pressure that would eventually make the series really tough for them.
‘The defeat in the Test match will motivate them as well when we're coming back. So, it's an exciting series, but it's going to be very, very tough.’
‘They are a very, very tough opposition. With regards to pressure on us, there's only... Pressure only comes from one side. It comes from the media and the supporters, not from us. So, it's up to you how much pressure you want to put us on.’
He further expressed his utmost contention thanks to the facilities that had been provided by the Bangladesh Cricket Board during their white-ball training from June 21–24 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium before their commencement of the next phase on July 1 in Chattogram.
‘Yeah, camp's been really good. Really good. It's given us an opportunity to see everybody. Fantastic facilities. So, yeah, guys are as ready as they can be. So we're very happy.’
