Bangladesh’s rise in the ICC Test ranking will give confidence to the side when they travel to the West Indies in June this year, said Tigers’ right-arm pacer Rubel Hossain.
The Tigers in accordance with the latest update moved to No 8 for the first time ever since the ranking was established, leapfrogging the Windies. In ODIs, Bangladesh at seventh are several rating points ahead of the Caribbean side, who are ninth. In the shortest format however, Bangladesh are yet to make any progress and are placed at 10th while the West Indies are going strong at No 7.
Bangladesh during their first tour of the Caribbean in four years are likely to play two Test matches, three ODIs and two T20Is against the home side.
“We are ahead of them in the Test ranking, which is an achievement for us. They are behind us in the table and I believe this will work in their minds when we face them in the Test series. Our batsmen and bowlers will be more confident, compared to them. I am sure progress in the ranking will help us but for a good result we also need to quickly cope with the condition there, which is a big challenge for us,” said Rubel to the media at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Saturday.
World cricket has gradually transformed into a batsman’s game. Countries like New Zealand, South Africa and England were known for producing seamer-friendly wickets but the situation has now changed. With the 2019 World Cup taking place in a year’s time in England and Wales, Rubel cited the importance of the pacers adapting quickly to the reality and the challenge.
Ahead of the West Indies tour, the Tigers are scheduled to travel to Dehradun in India for a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, which is part of Bangladesh’s preparation for the World Cup.
“You get run-scoring wickets all around the world now. We thought of bouncy wickets when we travelled to South Africa last year but we were wrong. The wickets were flat there. Everyone wants to see runs being scored in a game now; the crowd and even the ICC,” said Rubel.
“We see 300 runs being scored at home and abroad. So it’s challenge for the bowlers to prepare well now. It will not be wise to expect the wickets during the World Cup in England to be bowler-friendly,” he added.
