Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe’s two mantras for winning Champion Trophy battles

There are long tours. Inhospitable conditions. Tough opponents. Tests of cricketing skill and physical capability. But, in Mashrafe bin Mortaza’s opinion, the main challenge of the Champions Trophy is a mental one. It is a war. And the captain knows the ingredients necessary to win – live like a family, and win matches.

Sports Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 25 April 2017, 01:53 PM
Updated : 25 April 2017, 01:53 PM

For their first challenge, the Tigers are off to England. They leave on Wednesday night for a 10-day period at a Sussex training camp. Then, on May 7, the team will go to Ireland for the Tri-Nation Series. And then, in June, comes the Champions Trophy. It promises to be a lengthy tour.

But, before they set out on that journey, Mashrafe had a few words to say on hopes, opportunities and psychological preparation at a press conference on Tuesday.

“A lot depends on how we prepare mentally,” he said. “It is essential for the entire team to be mentally ready. If we are not ready then 20-25 days of training camp won’t do much for us.”

“I don’t believe we can become champions with 20-25 days of training. But, if we are mentally prepared, we will be a long way ahead. The mental battle is important. To face the big teams under their conditions –  it’ll be a bit chilly because it is the start of summer – will not be an easy task.

"It will be easier for them and we will have to work twice as hard. So, if we are healthy and take the proper mental preparation, I believe we will play well.”

Just as mental preparation is the most important aspect of the fight, staying mentally prepared is its biggest challenge. And, if prior experience is anything to go by, there is cause for concern. Especially on such a long trip. The mental strain and toil can overcome Bangladesh’s cricketers. The call of home eventually seems sweeter than that of the pitch. This time the task is even harder.

The main goal, the Champions Trophy, comes near the end of the tour. Before the first ball of the tournament is bowled, the Tigers will already have been abroad for over a month.

Mashrafe admits that even he is a little concerned. But he also knows the path to victory. The captain reminded the media of the success during the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

“There is always a bit of fear. We tend to grow weary near the end of tours. Our past record tells us that sometimes we play well in the first session but then do poorly in the second.

"But during the Australia World Cup we played well all the way through. We were in a winning mood and it seemed we could make it to the quarterfinals from our standing on the points table. So the weariness didn’t quite set in. I think if we have some winning momentum, we can wave away our weariness. And we can get that momentum in Ireland.”

“Another important matter is to keep our team together. Not everything will go smoothly for everyone all the time. But we still have to stick together. Especially those who are not doing well. It is essential to keep them a part of the team. We must be like a family. And I think we can achieve this.”

Unity has been the most crucial part of Mashrafe’s leadership. And soon that leadership will face a fierce test.