'There’s a fear of losing Tests'

Bangladesh bagged their first WTC points finally in Kandy after losing 5 straight matches. There has been a sense of relief among the cricket fraternity despite the result in the first Test ensured Bangladesh will finish the WTC from the bottom of the table. 

Coach Russel Domingo, who was under scrutiny and it was believed to be his 'do or go' series, is however not completely satisfied with the result yet. 

During the pre-match press brief on Wednesday, Domingo said that there is a fear of losing Tests among the team and they need to overcome that as soon as possible. He also mentioned that he hasn't taken the responsibility to draw matches and be happy, he wants to win Tests and his team now got a great opportunity which they need to focus on. 

"There's a fear of losing Tests, and that's something that we have to come away from. We have to play to win. At the moment I feel we are playing not to lose. It is a mental shift that we need to make. That mental shift will take a bit of time."

Domingo thinks the team is now playing not to lose, that's why a draw seems to be a huge result for them away from home. He wants the mental shift and understands this will take a bit of time. 

"There's a fear of losing Tests, and that's something that we have to come away from. We have to play to win. At the moment I feel we are playing not to lose. It is a mental shift that we need to make. That mental shift will take a bit of time. Guys haven't been successful in Tests. Until we change that mindset, we will always be okay with mediocrity. It is not something I want to be part of," Domingo said. 

"There's a long way to go. We want to take the team forward and play the game to win. We have to bat first in tough conditions. We have to declare to give ourselves enough time to bowl sides out. Those are the shifts that you have to make to become a serious Test-playing nation."

Photo: SLC

Domingo believes he now understands the team and culture as he has had six or seven Tests with the team. His goal solely focuses on winning more and more Test matches from here on.

"It is disappointing when a drawn Test is seen as a massive success. I am not here for drawn Tests. We don't want to lose Tests but we should have a mental shift. We have to play to win, and not merely be happy with draws."

"It is disappointing when a drawn Test is seen as a massive success. I am not here for drawn Tests. We don't want to lose Tests but we should have a mental shift. We have to play to win, and not merely be happy with draws."

"I have had six or seven Tests with the team now, I think I understand our team and culture. I know the areas we need to improve on, particularly on the mental side of things in Tests," he added.

With the first Test being drawn, Bangladesh now got an opportunity to win a Test series away from home. Domingo wants to make the best use of this opportunity which he thinks will be a step forward to the goal the team has set themselves.

"We want to try to win the series. It will be a great achievement for Bangladesh to win a series in Sri Lanka. Winning a Test series abroad is a goal that we have set ourselves."

"We have to play well over the five days. Sri Lanka are a tough side to beat especially at home. Our focus is on starting the Test well, and one session at a time," he concluded. 

Bangladesh will play their final World Test Championship 2019-21 match in Kandy. 

They named an unchanged squad for the second Test already. Domingo hinted there will be hardly any changes and Saif will get another go despite his poor run of form.