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Australia Tests delay will benefit us: Mominul


Bangladeshpost
Published : 11 Apr 2020 06:29 PM | Updated : 02 Sep 2020 05:56 PM

Bangladesh Test skipper Mominul Haque feels the postponement of their home series against Australia is a blessing in disguise as they can take on them later with their full-strength side that will possibly have Shakib Al Hasan, who is currently serving a ban, report agencies.

Australia's two-Test tour of Bangladesh scheduled for June 2020 has been indefinitely postponed following the Coronavirus pandemic that has brought sports across the world to a screeching halt. The two cricket boards - CA and BCB - unanimously took the decision on Thursday (April 9) to reschedule the tournament.

Allrounder Shakib, who is serving a one-year ban from the ICC for failing to report corrupt approaches, is expected to be available if the two Test matches get shifted to next year which is likely to be the case considering his ban will end on October 29, 2020.

"I am not disappointed that the two Test matches against Australia is postponed, Mominul told Cricbuzz on Friday. "Rather it has opened the door for us to compete against them with our full strength team considering we will have Shakib bhai back in our squad if the two Test matches get shifted next year.

''The presence of Shakib bhai will naturally bolster our squad because without him, I would have to search for another left-hand spinner, so it is good from one-side and in that sense I am not extremely worried with how things are panning out at the moment. If the Tests are shifted to April, then Shakib bhai will be more than prepared to take on the Aussies. As a captain I would always like to have my best player around while taking on teams like Australia."

Mominul said that he is confident that the Test matches against Australia, the lone Test against Pakistan and the series against New Zealand can be completed within the Test Championship cycle. 

"Look no one is responsible for what is happening now so I feel there is no point losing my sleep over it," he pointed out. "I am an optimistic guy and always try to think positively in every situation. This is part of the ICC Test Championship, so they will have to play. If they don't play then it will not be good for them and also for us. Matches will take place again in a convenient time so there is nothing to be frustrated about."

Despite being struck at home, the Bangladesh Test captain said he has been able to keep fit. The 28-year-old has also been spending his time watching old clips of Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar apart from some classic India-Pakistan matches from 1990s.

"I am a little desperate about not being able to practice properly but I am not very worried about it as I am trying to bat via visualization and meditation and it certainly helps. Otherwise I am running and my fitness is going well," he remarked. 

"I hardly watch my own match highlights. I've been watching a lot of Sachin Tendulkar. I also watch the Tests, ODI highlights and the  rivalry between India and Pakistan from the 90s."