Rahim resents lack of Test opportunities for Bangladesh – Cricket News Update
In an exclusive interview with ESPNSTAR, Bangladesh captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mushfiqur-Rahim-c2045, bemoaned Bangladesh’s lack of Test cricket opportunities, expressing particular disappointment with the apparent unwillingness of neighbouring countries in playing with the young
emerging side.
“Test cricket is the real deal. The more we play, the better we would get,” Rahim said. “It is sad we haven’t got the chance to play Tests as regularly as we would like.”
When asked about the fact that neighbouring countries India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka had been particularly unhelpful in helping Bangladesh increase their experience in the extended-overs format of the game, the captain claimed that he was “especially disappointed”
with India, who had failed to invite the Tigers for a series every since the latter earned their Test status roughly 12 years ago.
“If we do not play with the big boys, there would be little scope to improve,” he pointed out. “It would be nice to play Test cricket against the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758.”
Recent Tests played by Rahim’s side include a 2-match series on home ground against the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 in October/November 2011, which the visitors won, 1-0 (2).
The encounter with the Caribbean visitors was followed up by Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh in December 2011, and included a two-match Test series which the Men In Green went on to win 2-0.
However, further series with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 Cricket Board refused to send the national team to the Green Nation for a proposed tour, owing to the security risk in the country. Rahim clarified that while the team
was ready to tour and play anywhere in the world, the BCB and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 must have come to the decision to scrap the tour “after giving it a good thought”.
The 23-year-old skipper also went on to add that it was “frustrating” how the South African cricket board had recently turned down the BCB’s offer to host them for a series.
“We were looking forward to playing the Proteas before the World Twenty20 as we don’t have much cricket scheduled till the tournament. That is where we risk breaking our rhythm,” Rahim observed.
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