Bangladesh assistant coach Nic Pothas said that they are relishing the challenges from Afghanistan's world class spin attack in the ongoing ODI series that would help them vastly in any upcoming competition.
With Afghanistan spin trio Rashid Khan, Mujeeb-Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi claiming two wickets each and one wicket at an economy of 2.33, 2.55, and 4.16, respectively, the visitors restricted the hosts to a meager 169-9 in the rain hit series opener of the three one-day internationals at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Wednesday.
No need to say, that, it eventually paved the way for the Afghans to register a 17-run win in D/L to go up the series, 1-0.
The threesome upheld their similar dominance in the next game as well, picking up six wickets, with Mujeeb scalping 3-40 and Rashid finishing with two and one wicket, respectively, to bundle out the home side for 189 in 43.2 overs, in reply to their mammoth 331-9 to seal their maiden ODI series against Bangladesh at the latter’s backyard.
‘Technically, the challenge that they have presented is a huge advantage to us. It will make us better. If you can face this level of spin, you can face anybody,’ said Pothas on Monday before the third ODI in Chattogram.
With the forthcoming Asia Cup and ICC World Cup in mind, the series, which is in progress in the country’s port city, was termed a ‘dress rehearsal’ for the hosts, as they would encounter them on both occasions.
However, the 49-year-old South African coach said that although they had a couple of bad days, nevertheless, it was instrumental for them.
‘They keep coming at us. No other team in the world has three spinners of this quality that keep coming at you all the time. It is very beneficial for our team.’
Citing Bangladesh national team campaigners as professional, their assistant coach affirmed that since they are aware of their tasks therefore there is no point to boost them to turn tables ahead of the series finale.
‘These guys are very professional in the way they go about their business. It doesn’t take a lot of boosting from us. They are always ready. This is a fantastic group of players.’
In both ODIs, Bangladesh's top order batsmen were spotted struggling awfully against Afghanistan’s raging bowling attack and saw their highest 69 off 85 balls from their middle order batsman Musfiqur Rahim, while the next top 51 off 69 balls came from Towhid Hridoy’s bat.
Undeniably, the poor bating shows cost the hosts greatly, and Potahs backed his charges, asserting that not only the hosts but also the entire cricketing world is struggling against the Afghans world-class spin attack.
‘I think it is not a question of whether we struggled. It is a question of how the world struggles to pick them. what Where they are ranked in the world will tell you everybody in the world struggle pick them.’
He further put out a soft reminder not to forget the Tigers’ past glory in the ODIs that helped them finish third in the ICC World Cup Super League points table to manage a direct qualification in the forthcoming marquee tournament in India.
‘We are very quick to forget that we have won a series against England, India, and Ireland. We are judging world class cricketers on two games. We should make sure we judge them over a long period of time. Not two games.’
Bangladesh who already lost the series, will surely be desperate to register a win in today’s game to avoid a clean sweep against the visitors in the series finale.
