Ashraful cites lack of practice games for Zimbabwe losses

Bangladesh batting coach Mohammad Ashraful feels that lack of practice matches took its toll in the just concluded tour of Zimbabwe. 

The Tigers returned home after clinching the three-match T20 International series following their loss in the one-off Test match and three-match One Day International series.

“Previously there used to be practice games before the main matches, this option is no longer there. When we go on tour nowadays, we start with the series straightaway and do not have the opportunity to get adjusted with the condition,” Ashraful told reporters at the airport after arriving from the African nation on Wednesday.

“Even though both the Test and ODI team travelled there early, they didn't have the chance to play practice matches, if we had played them then I believe the result would have been in our favour,” he said.

The former Bangladesh captain feels that the tour will be immensely helpful ahead of the upcoming historical tour of Australia, comprising two Tests.

The 42-year old is of the opinion that the three-day practice match Down Under will also benefit the visitors as far as preparation is concerned for the two-Test series, part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.

Australia are currently leading the WTC standings with a PCT of 87.50, including seven wins and a loss from eight matches.

The Aussies announced a full-strength squad for the series, suggesting that they are not taking anything for granted for the two Tests, scheduled to be played in Darwin (13-17 August) and Mackay (22-26 August).

“It will be tough in Australia, the positive is we will travel there early - 10-12 days early - we will have the opportunity to play a three-day practice match, hopefully if all our players are fit, we will be able to do well there,” he noted.

Ashraful said that he is not ready to blame his charges for failing to live upto their expectations, whilst adding that some of the cricketers got some much-needed experience as it was their first tour of Zimbabwe.

“Our batters did really well in the last seven months, one series can go bad, one Test match went bad, the four Tests prior to that our batters played extremely well,” said the former right-handed batter.

“If you notice, we took the ODIs seriously, Mustafizur (Rahman) and the others were there, but they couldn't play due to injury, Mustafizur couldn't play from the second game,” he stated.

“See we can lose one or two games, different condition, after playing so well over the last seven months there is nothing to be morally down after losing one or two matches I believe, obviously they have gained experience from playing in different condition,” he explained.

“Tanzid (Hasan) Tamim, Towhid Hridoy, Rishad (Hossain), it was their first tour of Zimbabwe and first time playing in this kind of condition, they adjusted well, Tamim played outstanding, scored four fifties in six white-ball matches, looking at him it could be seen that he had adjusted to the condition seamlessly, I think it was a positive side, Yasir Rabbi played brilliantly in his comeback series, one or two matches... actually none of us like to lose, after losing obviously we have to take the positives forward,” he added.

Ashraful said that they are not losing sleep over World Cup qualification, while noting that the tour of Zimbabwe as well as the Australia series will help them to prepare for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, scheduled in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa.

“I believe this tour as well as the tour of Australia will help us in that regard as far as the extra bounce is concerned (that we are expecting in World Cup),” said Ashraful.

“We are not worried at all (regarding World Cup qualification), we are taking each series as it comes, before this series Bangladesh won five consecutive series at home, this series did no go in our favour, the upcoming ODI series - if India come here there will be three matches, then South Africa, we will try to play our best cricket,” he concluded.