‘I was very impressed with the commitment shown by the players’, Chandika Hathurusingha

Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha is not ready to burden his charge with expectations as the team prepares to take on England in a three-match ODI series. Instead, the head coach wants to use the opportunity to “spot the gap” between the teams and figure out how it can be bridged.

Chandika Hathurusingha told reporters ahead of the series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday –

“If we have to lift ourselves for (England), that’s not the right motivation. We are playing for the national team, we always want to do well. They are the world champions, they have one team playing somewhere else, they have another team here. They have a mind-blowing depth of talent. We want to see where we are at, and find out the gap that we have to bridge. If we do well in these conditions, it will give us confidence.”

Chandika added – “I think we are well prepared in the last few days. We had a practice match and match scenario sessions. I was very impressed with the commitment shown by the players. I think they are very much ready.”

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Adding that the challenge will be to handle English pace attack Chandika said – “We are playing full strength. I don’t think they have come with their full strength. Some of them are playing Test cricket. I back our skills and strength. Saying that, they have had incredible (laughs) strength in the last ten years or so,”

Chandika added –

“They have one of the best pace attacks in the world. They have five fast bowlers and three spinners on this tour. The challenge will be to play their fast bowlers in this series. They have developed great depth in English cricket. They are the envy of every Test playing nation. I am hoping that by the end of my tenure, we can leave something behind.”