'It won't be tough for the boys'- Head Coach Russell Domingo confident of Bangladesh's strong show in Pakistan

After a plethora of deadlocks between Pakistan Cricket Board and the Bangladesh Cricket Board on the latter’s tour to Pakistan, Bangladesh is finally to set lock horns in the den of their Asian neighbours with the three-match T20I series, starting in Lahore on January 24. Bangladesh will be without their star duo of Shakib Al Hasan [serving ban] and wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, who refused to take part in the tour due to security issues.

But that has not deterred the confidence of Head Coach Russell Domingo, who feels his team has enough pedigree and possibly beat Pakistan in their own backyard, much like what Sri Lanka did with an inexperienced outfit back in September.

“I do not think it will be tough for the boys (to focus). When you are facing a bowler there is nothing else to think about except a ball or when you are bowling there is nothing else to think except landing the ball in the right area. It (the heavy security) can galvanize the team as well. It can get the team working together and connecting well.” Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo said as quoted by The New Indian Express.

After a series of deadlocks, PCB finally struck a truce with BCB when the latter agreed to tour Pakistan in three parts. The first part which commences on January 24th will see Bangladesh play three T20Is in Lahore from January 24-27 before the Tigers return early next month [February 7-11] to play the first of the two-Test matches in Rawalpindi. The third part of the tour will take place after the culmination of the PSL which will consist of a one-off one-day ODI in Karachi on April 3 followed by the second Test from April 5-9.

“Where we go and when we go is not our decision. Obviously it would be nice to go once and finish in three weeks but they think it’s best to do it in one-week blocks. I am fine with it,” Domingo added.

Russell Domingo looking forward to the challenge

Apart from Mushfiqur Rahim, a plethora of members of the backroom staff including batting coach Neil McKenzie, spin bowling coach Daniel Vettori and fielding coach Ryan Cook have opted out of the tour, barring Head Coach Domingo, who is approaching it as a new challenge.

“It was easy (to take the decision of going to Pakistan). I sign up to coach Bangladesh and that’s what I want to do,” Domingo said. “I am looking forward to going to Pakistan. I have never been there, so I am seeing a good challenge, good learning and a good adventure on how cricket works in that country.”

However, Domingo was compassionate with the decisions of players like Mushfiqur and the backroom staff who decided to opt-out of the tour. “He is a family man like me. If he feels that’s the best for his family we have to respect his decision,” he said.

Bangladesh have won two of their last three T20Is against Pakistan, and given the form, the home side is going through at the moment, Domingo might just have enough reasons to smile about on what he considers as a challenging tour.

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