They started the home season with a 2-1 ODI series win over India, followed by a 3-0 T20I series win against England, and then beating Ireland in all three formats. The challenge was to do well in the 13 nearly back-to-back matches starting March 1, but apart from the 2-1 defeat in the ODIs against England, they won the other series convincingly.
Shakib led the team admirably in the T20Is and Tests, introducing an aggressive style that Bangladesh has often shied away from. He also contributed significantly in the ODIs.
Shakib said a mentality shift has really helped Bangladesh over the past five months. He said they realised the need for this mentality during the T20 World Cup last year when they needed to beat Pakistan in their last Super 12s match to have a shot at the semi-finals. They didn’t make it, eventually, but Bangladesh enjoyed their best T20 World Cup campaign, winning two games against Zimbabwe and Netherlands and pushing India close.
“I think our biggest improvement is in our mentality,” Shakib said. “During our last match of the T20 World Cup last year, we spoke about how we used to think of ourselves as a small team. We weren’t really a small team but if we believed in ourselves, we could have reached the semi-finals. We lacked in that area, so we felt that we needed to change that aspect. Especially those who were in the T20 World Cup squad have undergone that mental change.
“This is an important year when we have the Asia Cup and the World Cup. We want to play well over the next six months. We did well in the first four months this year. We will be mostly playing ODIs this year, a format we feel we are good at.”
The improved mindset in T20Is contributed to big scores in the ODI series against Ireland in Sylhet last month, and similarly high-scoring efforts in the T20Is in Chattogram. Even the choice of venues at home – Sylhet and Chattogram instead of mostly Dhaka – was a sign of progress. Usually Bangladesh fancy playing more in Dhaka as the Shere Bangla National Stadium offers more help to spinners, the team’s perceived strength.
With the fast bowlers slowly improving too, and with the team feeling the need to play on more batting-friendly pitches looking ahead to the World Cup in India, the BCB has assented to the senior players’ wish to play more in Sylhet and Chattogram. More white-ball matches are expected at these two venues in the coming months leading into the major tournaments.
The move was highly unusual for Bangladesh but Hathurusinghe was BCB president Nazmul Hassan’s choice for a long time. Hathurusinghe’s vision has so far melded well with the rest of the team.
“We want the same results, ideally.” Hathurusinghe had said before the Ireland T20Is. “That’s what we talk about that we are going to do the same processes in place for us. If we do our processes, I think we are a very good team. That’s what we can them to do – improve the processes every day.
“It feels good anytime your team does well, especially when you have a plan in place before the series starts. Then we want to play on good wickets. We knew that our fast bowlers were good enough to give that kind of performance. When that comes to fruition, it gives a lot of confidence.”
Bangladesh’s fast bowling too has improved, which has led to a wider group being picked in the squad. Fast-bowling coach Allan Donald is also looking to widen the net with the next batch of fast bowlers from domestic and age-group cricket.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84