Consistency the buzzword

The way the two teams competed in the first Test bedazzled the entire cricketing world. The neck and neck battle throughout the four days against a vastly more experienced Test side eventually went on to create new Test fans across the country.

Cricket discussions among fans strayed from the usual path. Technical issues, which are rarely discussed during the limited-overs games, such as the importance of reverse swing or the special character of the Chittagong track to not break up despite turning from day one, were the key highlights.

However, with the first Test done and dusted, the genre of discussions has moved on. The main question at the fore right now is whether Bangladesh can once again display the consistency that they had shown in the first Test.

In the past, they have been guilty of breaking down after putting in a good show in the first Test. Can the England series, which has already garnered plenty of attention due to its uniqueness, be any different?

Captain Mushfiqur Rahim certainly thinks so.

"We were on the back foot prior to the first Test because we were playing after 15 months and that too against a team like England. But by the grace of God we were consistent and that's going to be our focus in the second Test as well. We ended on a good note and hope to begin in the same manner as well," said Mushfiqur during the pre-match press conference yesterday.

At the end of the fourth day of the first Test, the headlines of a possible historical win for Bangladesh stormed the media. When asked if that factor was playing at the back of the players' minds, Mushfiqur's reply was a practical one.

"I think it will just be another game of Test cricket. For us, every Test is special because we don't get to play as many Tests. England are a good side and it will be challenging. What's more important for us is to play consistent cricket over the four or five days. If we do that, the result will automatically come," he said.

"Yes, we are not habituated to play well against a strong side. But it's not as though we will become the world's number one team if we win this game. Hopefully we won't let that opportunity go this time. Our first target will be to create a good situation by playing consistently," he added.

Reverse swing turned out to be one of the key factors in the first Test with the England pacers depending on it quite a lot. Their top batsman, Joe Root, did not really do well with the bat but he did a great job in keeping one side of the ball shiny. That's something that Mushfiqur wants his teammates to apply in the second Test.

"There are very few players who can play reverse swing well. Hopefully our top order will score well and not let the tail get exposed to the reverse at the end. Also, we need to maintain the ball when we are bowling. Many a time because of the shine, the ball drifts and that helps the spinner as well," said Mushfiqur.