Last Update: February 28, 2023, 21:13 IST
Bangladesh will host England for a three-match ODI series. (AFP photo)
Bangladesh have won 12 of their last 15 ODIs and will be eager to build on their impressive run against world champions England
New Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha on Tuesday said he was preparing for a reality check against England but promised an “aggressive” posture when his team takes on the reigning one-day international champions.
The three-match series begins in Dhaka on Wednesday and Bangladesh will be tested at a time when they have developed into a formidable force in the 50-over format.
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They have won 12 of their last 15 ODIs, but England are the only visitors since 2015 to win an ODI series in Bangladesh.
“They are world champions. They have a team playing elsewhere. They have another team here. They have tremendous depth of talent,” Hathurusingha said, referring to the England Test team’s tour of New Zealand.
“We want to see where we are, and find the gap we need to bridge. If we do well in these conditions, it will give us confidence.”
“They have one of the best pace attacks in the world. He has five fast bowlers and three spinners on this tour. The challenge will be to feed our fast bowlers in this series.”
Former Sri Lanka batsman Hathurusingha, 54, returned last week for his second stint as Bangladesh coach.
During his first stint he was widely hailed as the architect of some of the national side’s finest moments, including the ODI series win against Pakistan. India and South Africa.
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But he was often reported to be at loggerheads with senior Bangladesh cricketers, including current captain Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, while as coach from 2014 to 2017.
Since returning, Hathurusingha said he was “very impressed” with the team’s commitment and was ready for a challenge.
He said, ‘I played aggressive cricket in my last stint.’
“There are many ways to play aggressive cricket apart from hitting the ball out of the ground. It’s the attitude we’re bringing. Be it fielding, bowling or batting, we will be aggressive.”
The ODI series will be followed by three Twenty20 Internationals, starting in Chittagong on 9 March and returning to Dhaka on 12 and 14 March.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)