Mashrafe Mortaza urges Bangladesh to remain 'realistic' against India

Mashrafe Mortaza

Fatullah (Bangladesh), June 9 (IANS) Bangladesh One-Day International (ODI) captain Mashrafe Mortaza has said the home side should be 'realistic' and think about drawing the one-off Test match against India, starting on Wednesday here.

"(We) have to bat very well. But just batting well does not win Tests, only helps draw them. Wickets and strategies should be built with that in mind," Mashrafe told bdnews24.com on Tuesday after practice at Fatullah's Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.

"I think a draw will be a pretty good result. I keep saying we might face the opposite consequences if we go for too much in Tests right now. As batting is our strength in Test, we should focus on that," he added.

Mashrafe, who does not feature in the Test, is reluctant to label the mentality of going for a draw as negative.

"We will definitely play to win. But we have to be realistic. When we will have the sure-fire ability to take 20 wickets, we will plan according to that.

"(But) in reality if we can score 450 or 500 and if bowlers can bowl in the right areas to restrict their (India) batsmen, we can manage a draw. If that effort creates an opportunity to win, that will be even better," he added.

Mashrafe believes Bangladesh will someday start winning Tests on a regular basis. The Tigers' rise in ODIs has given the 31-year old hope.

"We used to once lose all matches badly in ODIs. We started to fight back a bit and fought harder later. Then we started winning some matches. Now we win regularly. We will develop similarly in Tests," he said.

"So I am saying losing by trying to win won't help now. Rather by drawing regularly we will learn to win some day. And we will keep winning."

Bangladesh played their inaugural Test against India in November 2000. They have lost six of the seven matches played against India, drawing only one in Chittagong in 2007 with the help of rain.