Mominul: Our process never changed, this will be just another Test series for us

Bangladesh Test skipper Mominul Haque has said that the process will not change ahead of the upcoming Test series against the West Indies and they will be playing it more like another Test series rather than the Test Championship. 

The cricketers prepared themselves ahead of the Sri Lanka tour that eventually was cancelled. Mominul said that they will start from where they left. "It's not that we have withdrawn ourselves from the usual process because of Covid-19. The process never changed. We'll just resume it before the upcoming series."

Bangladesh are going to play Tests after almost a year. The skipper knows that it will be tough ask to switch to the toughest format but puts emphasis on staying positive. "Not only us, every team will find things difficult now. It's better to think positive, not worrying too much. All the teams have been struggling more or less in post-Covid times. The teams playing substantial amount of cricket have spent a lot of time in the bio-bubble. That is also challenging. It's all about the mindset," said Mominul. 

The West Indies, who are scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on January 10, were blown away by New Zealand in the recently concluded Test series. Mominul reckons that they will be slightly demoralised: "They have played few Test series before that under the bio-bubble. So they can be a bit down mentally. It's always good for us to play a team who lost the recent series. But that does not mean that we will beat them just like that. We still have to be at our best. The only positive thing is that they will be a little disappointed. But we will not let them off the hook."

A lot of players as well as teams have spoken about the bio-bubbles taking toll on their mental health. Bangladesh are yet to experience international cricket under the bubble. "It's a completely mental thing, whether you can give your best or not staying in the bubble. Now it's not possible to tell anything about the experience, having not played international cricket under it. We have to play like thing until and unless the vaccine comes. We have to stay positive and not worry too much about it."

The skipper feels that not playing international cricket  under the bubble can work as a two-edged sword. "They have been in three bio-secure bubbles. It must've been difficult for them. It can work both ways for us and them. They know how to play staying in bubbles. They may have an edge over us in this respect," Mominul Haque said.

Shakib Al Hasan, the ace all-rounder, is set to make a comeback into international cricket after serving a one-year ban, much to the relief of the Test captain. "It's great to have him back as a young captain. His inclusion will do a lot of good to the balance of the team. He is a champion cricketer."

Mominul, who picked up a thumb injury during the recently concluded Bangabandhu T20 Cup, is now undergoing rehabilitation after a successful surgery and is expected to play the practice match prior to the Test series.