ZCZC
BSP-18
CRICKET-ERVINE-BANGLADESH
Bangladesh will feel bit of pressure playing at home: Ervine
DHAKA, Feb 21, 2020 (BSS) – Zimbabwe stand-in captain Craig Ervine said pressure will be on Bangladesh to deliver the goods in the one-off Test against them because of playing at the home condition.
At the same time, Ervine, who is leading the side in the Test match in absence of Sean Williams, is confident of their chance, vastly due to be a regular visitor in Bangladesh, and also the own problem of the Tigers who came off six straight Test defeats.
“You always feel a little bit of pressure playing at home. Obviously with recent form they will be under even more pressure. But we have to concentrate or our process and our strength and not worry too much about the Bangladesh’s history in Test cricket,” Ervine said here on Friday ahead of the solitary Test.
“Bangladesh is having a poor run of form in Tests recently. But obviously they are stronger opponent in their own condition. But this condition is also little bit familiar to us as we have toured here often in the past. So it is not a foreign thing to us. It should be a very good contest.”
Zimbabwe’s confidence also stemmed from their performance against Sri Lank back at home, as they lost the two-match series by 1-0 after putting up huge fight. The Southern African nation held Bangladesh for a 1-1 draw in two-match Test series in 2018 also.
“We had a good series against Sri Lanka. We had two good games where both games went to fifth days. The momentum gained from that series, we want to carry that in the Test match against Bangladesh.”
After the ICC-imposed ban on them to play the cricket was lifted, Zimbabwe wants to start rebuild process and they want the journey to start in Bangladesh.
“It’s a long process to rebuild. We have started the process now. You have to bring in younger players so that you can build a pool of players. It’s our main goal to get back to the top. But it all starts with enough Test matches in a year and climbing that ladder,” Ervine added.
BSS/SMP/MMA/1930hrs