Bangladesh Test captain Mominul Haque believes that his team would give a stern competition to Pakistan in the upcoming two-match Test series which also charts the inauguration of their World Test Championship 2021-23.
Acknowledging the fact that they are facing a tough challenge, especially given the form that the team is carrying with the drubbing in the World Cup and then by Pakistan at home in the T20I series, Mominul said that only players have to overcome that and they have done it in the past as well.
"This is not the first time Bangladesh has gone through such a phase. We have overcome such situations before too,” said the 30-year-old.
"People become mentally weak because they take outside talk seriously. My job is to bring back focus from thinking about what everyone is saying, and focusing on our job. We have to back each other. You cannot shut anyone's mouth but I think you can shut off your own ears,” Mominul added further.
The left-handed batter who has one of the best averages in Test cricket for a Bangladesh batter with more than 3000 runs, said that there is no doubt that big players are missing from the series. But according to him, it also gives young players an opportunity to showcase their talent.
“Tamim bhai gives us good starts that we have often capitalised on. Shakib is two players in one. Taskin has been bowling well recently. We are effectively missing four players. It makes my captaincy a bit more challenging but Mushfiq Bhai and I have to take on the added responsibility,” he said.
Mominul also backed Liton Das and other players who could have a great impact in this game.
"(Abu Jayed) Rahi has been our leading wicket-taker in the WTC. We also have (Mehidy Hasan) Miraz and Taijul (Islam). I have confidence in my bowlers. I think if we bowl well, we can take 20 wickets in this game."
"I think Liton has overcome that (failure in T20 World Cup). He has averaged 45-50 in Tests in the last 12 months. I think he can handle it well. He had a mental break. Everyone is supporting him,’ said the captain.
The first Test will begin at 10:00 am Local time at the Zahur Ahmed Chaudhary Stadium in Chattogram on November 26.