Kanpur Test, Mehidy Hasan outlines Bangladesh's strategy for Day 5
Bangladesh's top spinner, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, has spilled the beans on his team's game plan for the last day of the second Test against India in Kanpur. He stressed that a cautious approach is the way to go. With eight wickets in hand and 26 runs on the board, Bangladesh are gearing up to take on India. The Indian side had earlier gone past Bangladesh's first innings total by 52 runs.
Miraz prioritizes safety over victory in Test
During a media briefing after Day 4, Miraz emphasized the need to focus on safety in their current situation. "We will try to bat as long as possible, which will be good for us and the team," he said. He also pointed out that going for a win would take a lot of time, as they'd have to set a target and then take 10 wickets again.
Miraz acknowledges India's aggressive approach
Miraz, who bagged four wickets in India's first innings, was quite surprised by the aggressive style of play from Indian batters like Rohit Sharma. He pointed out that the pitch was slow and the ball was keeping low with some occasional extra bounce. "They came with an aggressive mentality, which made it a bit difficult for us," he said during his media interaction.
Miraz expresses disappointment over lack of support for Haque
Miraz expressed disappointment over his team's inability to adequately support Mominul Haque, who scored an unbeaten century in the first innings. "Mominul bhai played really well, but we couldn't provide him the support he needed from our side," he said. He suggested that the match could have taken a different turn if they had been more supportive of Haque's efforts.
Miraz remains hopeful for final day of Test
Despite the hurdles, Miraz is keeping his chin up for the final day of the Test. He thinks that a good partnership and some sensible batting could turn things around for Bangladesh. "In Test cricket, anything is possible. We haven't completely lost yet," he said during a media chat. He also pointed out that this match has been a one-of-a-kind experience, with the potential for a nail-biting finish, even with all the time lost.
Miraz praises Shakib Al Hasan's performance amid retirement rumors
Miraz also addressed the buzz surrounding Shakib Al Hasan's potential retirement from Test cricket. He praised Shakib's performance and recognized his invaluable experience for the team. "He (Shakib) bowled very well. The way he played on this wicket was impressive," Miraz said during his media interaction. He confirmed that Shakib had discussed his retirement plans with the team management and everyone involved in advance, indicating a well-thought-out decision rather than a sudden move.
