Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque believes the convincing Test win over Zimbabwe will help his side’s confidence ahead of their trip to Pakistan.
The Tigers got back to winning ways for the first time in seven matches when securing an innings and 106-run success in Dhaka.
The Test side are now due to head to Karachi on April 5 for a second fixture against Pakistan. Bangladesh lost the first clash in Rawalpindi by an innings and 44 runs at the start of the month.
Before that, the country will face Zimbabwe in three ODI and two T20Is as the limited-overs squad continues to build towards the T20 World Cup in Australia in October.
Bangladesh are considered huge outsiders for the tournament and can be backed at 101.00 (100-1) with bet365.
Confidence key for second Pakistan clash
Test skipper Haque thinks beating Zimbabwe will only help their chances of an improved showing in Pakistan.
He said: ‘Winning a match always rises up the faith in the team. So I think this winning will help us in the Pakistan Test match as well.
”I don't know if you see me under pressure. But I didn't feel the pressure (of captaining the side) throughout the match. I failed as a captain in (my) first (few) Test matches, but I'm trying to learn from my mistakes and looking forward to the upcoming days.
Haque also underlined his feelings that Bangladesh cricket is heading in the right direction.
This can be seen by the work being put in to prepare pitches that are more susceptible to pace bowling. It is hoped having more of those pitches in Bangladesh will help them prepare for conditions away from home.
Haque added: “I want us to play good cricket at home and away. So, what I have to do is to use pace bowlers. If they don't bowl regularly, they will not understand how to bowl in away conditions.
”I think that in National League or BCL (Bangladesh Cricket League) matches, the pitches are going to be the same as we played in (this) Test,” he added.
”You can see from the last New Zealand series Rahi (Abu Jayed) and Ebadot are playing Test matches regularly. The more they play, they will gain more experience,”‘ he said.
