Bangladesh's fast-bowling coach Courtney Walsh has said the wickets in Asia Cup will not be perfect for pacers in the upcoming as the pitch in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are pretty flat and docile.
“I don’t think it (wicket) will be perfect for pacers in the Asia Cup. I think the wickets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are normally pretty flat and docile. Some are expecting the pacers will adapt and be able to use their variations. I don’t think in one-day cricket, you get much cricket in conditions perfect for pace bowlers,” Walsh told the media in the capital’s Mirpur on Saturday (Sept 8).
“Everybody wants runs being scored, and it is always a challenge for bowlers. Whenever the bowlers do well, we have to give them the credit because it is not easy to bowl in these good batting wickets,” he said.
He, however, is optimistic about the Asia Cup.
“I am very optimistic with Mash (Mashrae Mortaza) leading the attack. He is a very experienced guy. Fizz is coming off with some confidence. Hopefully he will get a lot fitter. He keeps getting slight injuries.”
“With Mash leading the back and Fizz (Mustafizur Rahman) with confidence and Rubel (Hossain) who has done well in the ODIs, there’s confidence. I think the guys will give a very good account for themselves. The confidence that has been taken from both wins in the West Indies. I know a lot of people may have taken it lightly but to beat West Indies in ODIs and T20s in their backyard, is a big achievement for Bangladesh cricket. I am hoping that it will give the guys a lot of confidence ahead of the Asia Cup.”
Walsh categorically said Bangladesh can over their challenge in Asia Cup.
“Mash’s experience is tremendous. I think sometimes we take him for granted. With his experience in these conditions and his leadership style, he is very good. Guys look up to him. As a support staff, we have to give them as much support as possible, to have their confidence up. Once Fizz is fit, we have that extra cushion,” he said.
Speaking on the progress of Tigers’ pace attack, Walsh said, “We haven’t had a lot of Test matches, so to speak. But I think there has definitely been some progress. Unfortunately we only get chance to play four-day games when we are on tour.
“There are some good youngsters coming into the team. I am hoping that before my time is up, we can produce some fast bowlers. Unfortunately in the last tour of the West Indies, they didn’t make as much of an impact as I would have liked. Hopefully the guys can give a good account of themselves in the next tournament. I am still hopeful,” he added.
On how much goals in bowling have been fulfilled, the Caribbean said, “It is still a work in progress. A lot of youngsters are coming through. If they don’t get selected to play, you won’t know what they are. It is one of the things we have to look at a little bit more.
“We can’t be too afraid to give the youngsters a chance to express themselves a bit more. If they are kept waiting in the wings, they will never get a chance to play. The more you play the best chance you will get to learn.
“You will get more experience by playing in the middle. Sometimes you have to throw these youngsters in the deep to see what they are made of. But if you keep protecting them and say they are not ready, they might never get ready. Sometimes you have to expose talent, you have to give them a chance,” he Welsh said.
Speaking on Mustafizur Rahman, the bowling coach said, “He is coming on very good. He is not where he’d like to be. He did well in the West Indies when he joined us. If those injuries stay behind him, he will only get better. He has very special skills. We need to have him around to give us a chance to do well. I think Mustafiz will always give you the edge. We are hoping he can reach his peak during the Asia Cup.
“I don’t think his workload needs to be managed. He is bowling pretty well. I would like to do more skill work with him. I haven’t had a chance due to his injuries but I am hoping during the Asia Cup, we can do some work.
“He knows what’s required and once he is fit, we are all happy. We have to get him to match fitness before the start of the Asia Cup. He had the flu virus. If he is happy and comfortable with the workload, I’d be happy with that,” Welsh said.
Praising Mashrafe Mortaza for his standing out, Welsh said, “Mash’s experience and skillset is much different and much better than the other guys. Experience has been carrying him through but he was always a very good fast bowler. If he wasn’t injured, he’d be playing Test cricket. The first time I saw him, I told him that he was good enough to play Test matches. Maybe because of his injury, he is not able to play all formats of the game. He is a high-class fast bowler for Bangladesh for a number of years. It is up to the youngsters now to have that hunger.
“We can do as much as coaches from the background. The youngsters will have to want to perform. Mash takes pride in his performance. It is the big difference. He wants to do well and compete, and that’s what we need,” he added.
Walsh, however, doesn’t think youngsters lack hunger.
“They haven’t been given that opportunity to play consistently. It is where the difference might come from. Some of the youngsters we have, they need to get a good run. Not just one or two games and then get dropped. You can have good and bad matches.”
“I have seen that as soon as you have a bad game, everyone wants you to be dropped. It is not going to help a youngster. All of us can have a bad game, and when that happens, we need to be given a chance to redeem yourself. It is a case of striking the right balance. Youngsters are keen and want to perform at the highest level. They just need to be given a chance,” he said.
