Bangladesh batting coach Mohammad Ashraful believes the lack of practice matches played a significant role in the team’s disappointing results on their recently concluded tour of Zimbabwe.
Bangladesh returned home on Wednesday after winning the three-match T20I series, having earlier lost the one-off Test and the three-match ODI series.
“Previously, teams used to play practice matches before the main series, but that option is no longer available. Nowadays, we start the series as soon as we go on tour and do not get the opportunity to adjust to the conditions,” Ashraful told reporters at the Shahjalal International Airport after the team’s arrival from Zimbabwe.
“Although both the Test and ODI teams travelled there early, they did not have the chance to play practice matches. If we had played them, I believe the results could have been different.”
Ashraful, however, believes the Zimbabwe tour will prove valuable ahead of Bangladesh’s historic Test tour of Australia. He also feels the scheduled three-day practice match before the two-Test series will help the team acclimatise to the conditions.
The two World Test Championship matches will be played in Darwin from August 13 to 17 and Mackay from August 22 to 26.
Australia currently lead the World Test Championship standings with a points percentage of 87.50 after winning seven of their eight matches. They have also named a full-strength squad for the series, underlining the importance they attach to the contest.
“It will be tough in Australia. The positive is that we will travel there early, around 10 to 12 days beforehand, and 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,” Ashraful said.
