‘Mindset as important as sporting wickets to win away Tests’

Bangladesh returned to the country in the evening yesterday following a successful tour of New Zealand, where the Mominul Haque-led side registered a historic win in the first Test at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui and eventually shared a Test series with the Kiwis for the first time.

Bangladesh dominated at least 10 out of 13 sessions played in the first Test with pacers Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and especially Ebadot Hossain cornering the hosts on a sporting Bay Oval wicket, the type of which is rarely seen in Bangladesh. 

But according to Mominul, it was not only the sporting wicket that saw the Tigers make history. 

"Obviously it is important [to have sporting wickets]. But that alone won't be enough as I think the mindset while playing Tests overseas is as important," said Mominul at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after landing yesterday.

Mominul also emphasised having positive body language. 

"For instance, before touring New Zealand, if we start overthinking about what might happen then that won't work in our favor. Here [in New Zealand or anywhere abroad], it is very important to stay positive and have good body language," Mominul added. 

Also, like a true professional, the 30-year-old now wants to focus on the future assignments instead of just thinking about that one Test victory. 

"We won one Test. But now I am more anxious about our upcoming series. We have a number of big series lined up against the likes of India, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. And as a captain, I think those series are very challenging for us. We will have to improve with each passing day," Mominul said.