‘Show results, not once, but day after day’

Bangladesh achieved a historic away Test win against New Zealand earlier this year with a relatively inexperienced squad under Mominul Haque's leadership. And after an astounding win against Afghanistan in the first ODI, scripted by young guns Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Afif Hossain, many wondered: Is this the dawn of a new era for Bangladesh cricket? Test skipper Mominul shed some light on his thoughts about that as well as providing some insight into the upcoming South Africa tour in an interview with The Daily Star's Ekush Tapader. 

On The epic victory against Afghanistan:

When [Mahmu'dullah] Riyad bhai and Shakib [Al Hasan] bhai were at the crease, I thought they could carry the team like they have done countless times in the past. After they departed and I saw [Mehedi Hasan] Miraz and [Hossain] Afif coming in, my line of thinking was that the wicket in Chattogram would get better with time. So if they could bat till the 50th over, we could win the game.Both Miraz and Afif played in a very calculated manner. They didn't attack Afghanistan's main bowlers [Mohammad] Nabi or Rashid [Khan]. They didn't strike much either. They played the ball low and kept the scoreboard ticking over. I didn't play much with Afif but I know Miraz well. He is always confident regardless of his successes or failures. I was worried that he might go with the flow and play an awkward shot, but he didn't. Miraz is more mature now. This is a very positive sign for Bangladesh cricket. If younger players can play like this, seniors will be more assured as well. Even the fans will be assured, but only when it happens consistently.

On how A new era may be ushered in:

I think there are signals telling seniors when it is time to pack up their gear. The juniors give those signals by rising to the occasion. But only signals won't work. People will believe you only when they see results. So you have to show them. Not once, but day after day. When Miraz and Afif will bat again, they will know that they can do it again. But the challenge is to do it regularly.

On youngsters taking responsibility:

If you talk about younger players taking responsibility, that may increase pressure. Responsibility raises expectations and expectations increase pressure. Pressure can take anyone down. When we can play as a team, we get success. Instead of taking responsibility, I want to tell them to enjoy and play as a team.

On preparations for the Test series in south africa:

We are going to prepare in Bogura because the wicket there is quite sporting. Our main preparation will be once we go to South Africa and train in their conditions. We cannot say that we will win just because of our success in New Zealand, but we will follow the process.

On Test Championship Target:

Our only target is to do better in the two-match Test series in South Africa. If expectations have increased, we need to match them. There's no point thinking too big. We can't say that we will rank at number five or six by the end of the cycle. You can say that in ODIs because we are really good in the 50-over format. The ODI team may play in the World Cup semifinals after one or four years, but the Test team is far behind. We need two or three more years to be a good Test side.