Tigers have right time to reach WTC final: Mushtaq

Bangladesh’s spin-bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed believes the Tigers have a genuine opportunity to reach the World Test Championship (WTC) final, urging the team to maintain their confidence and continue playing good cricket.

Bangladesh suffered a defeat in Mackay after securing a historic first Test victory over Australia in Darwin, but the triumph has boosted their confidence and strengthened their ambitions of reaching the WTC final.

“InshaAllah, why not? We are in a great position now. If we can play good cricket and maintain our belief, continuing to play good cricket, InshaAllah, we have the right time to go all the way,” Mushtaq said.

Bangladesh are currently fourth in the WTC standings, behind Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, with six Tests remaining in the current cycle.

The Tigers are scheduled to tour South Africa for a two-Test series before hosting the West Indies and England for two Tests each. Winning at least four of their remaining WTC matches could significantly improve their chances, although results involving other teams will also be crucial.

Bangladesh will also face Afghanistan in a Test next month, but the match will not count towards the WTC standings.

Meanwhile, Mushtaq is continuing his work to strengthen Bangladesh’s spin-bowling pipeline. Instead of travelling to Japan for the Asian Games, he is set to join the Under-19 team’s camp in Sylhet on 26 September.

The Sylhet programme follows a four-day spin camp in Dhaka involving 15 to 16 spinners from the Under-17, Under-19, Under-23 and High Performance set-ups.

The sessions were organised by bowling discipline, with separate days dedicated to left-arm spinners, leg-spinners and off-spinners. Former national spinner Abdur Razzak and other local coaches also took part.

Mushtaq stressed the importance of holding such camps regularly and developing local spin-bowling coaches alongside young players.

“Every third month we should do that because I think they will get lots of benefits from it,” he said, adding that local coaches could learn the technical, tactical and fundamental aspects of spin bowling.