'We have the right to go all the way': Mushtaq backs Bangladesh's WTC hopes

Mushtaq Ahmed believes Bangladesh are in a position to challenge for a place in the World Test Championship final.

Despite their defeat in Mackay after a historic win in Darwin, Bangladesh remain in contention for a top-two finish and need 47 more points from their six remaining Tests. To strengthen their chances, they will need to win all four of their remaining home Tests against the West Indies and England. One additional win from their other two Tests would give them an excellent chance of qualification.

“Inshallah, why not? We are in a great position now. If we play good cricket and keep believing, we have the right to go all the way,” said Mushtaq, the team's spin-bowling coach.

“The only way you can win matches at the international level is when you are not worried about losing. This is the mindset we, as coaches, have to change. Credit goes to all the players, selectors, and stakeholders because they are on the same page and believe we can challenge any team now,” he added.

Mushtaq is currently conducting a four-day spin camp for local spinners from the High Performance and Under-23 squads at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

The former Pakistan spinner also stressed the need to develop local spin-bowling coaches who can help nurture the next generation of spinners. Former Bangladesh left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak has joined him at the camp, along with a few other local coaches, including another former left-arm spinner, Nabil Samad.

“ Bangladesh cricket structure with the spinners is very good. That's why I think those camps have to be regular. Every third month we should do that because I think they will get lots of benefits from it,” he said.

“Not only spinners, we can develop the spin bowling coaches also locally, so they can understand how to work with the basics and alignment and technical and tactical [stuff].

“The local coaches are also with me now, four or five of them now and they are also learning the art of spin and how we can develop good spinners.

“The spin department is always about when to attack and when not to. Is this a situation to restrict runs or to take wickets? With the pitch spinning, what field positions do you need? What are the strengths of the batsman? You have to teach them all these things and then tell them that good overs will get you wickets, not just good balls,” he added.

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