Would rather face this Indian team than the 2000 team: Ex-Bangladesh batsman Aminul Islam

02/07/2017

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Ex-Bangladesh cricketer Aminul Islam has claimed that he would rather face the current Indian team than the one from 2000 solely because of that team's bowling strength. Islam, Bangladesh's first Test centurion, added that among the current lot, only R Ashwin can parallel the bowlers from that era.

“Back in 2000, India had Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dravid, Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath. Only Anil Kumble was missing. They were a very strong and tough team. Now with the addition of Twenty20, India have become very attacking. They have a host of attacking players in the set up. At home, they can beat anyone. If you ask me, since I am a batsman, I would rather face this team than the one from 2000 because except for Ashwin, the bowling attack in 2000 was more mature and better.” Aminul told Scroll.in.

However, he had only praise for each of the Indian bowlers.

"Umesh Yadav is a fantastic pacer, while Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin are the two main bowlers. Ashwin can bowl off-spin, leg-spin and the doosra.

"The difference between Ashwin and Muttiah Muralitharan is that Ashwin spins it to about only two and a half inches. And because the bat’s width is around four and a half inches, it can catch either of the edges. Also, Jadeja’s revolutions are faster than any bat speed, which make him very dangerous," he said.

Aminul had scored a century in Bangladesh's first-ever Test back in 2000 during India's tour of Bangladesh when the Indian attack had boasted of Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan, and Ajit Agarkar. That score of 145, which helped Bangladesh reach 400 in their first innings, would remain Aminul's sole Test century in his career.

Speaking about the current Indian team, Aminul said, "They are a very strong side. Cheteshwar Pujara, Murali Vijay, KL Rahul are all great batsmen too. It is because India’s background when it comes to batting is strong. The base is set at the age-group level."

According to the former captain, Bangladesh stand a decent chance to draw or go for a win in the one-off Test but would need to play positively.

"I have two expectations – one each from the heart and the mind. The heart believes Bangladesh can play for five days and play for a win. The mind, however, talks of the reality. Playing in India and on current form (Bangladesh were whitewashed in New Zealand), they can draw the Test or play for four and a half days or somehow target a win. But if the team has this mindset, they will lose in two and a half days. So, they must go there and play positive cricket," he said.

Would rather face this Indian team than the 2000 team: Ex-Bangladesh batsman Aminul Islam

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