Being captain will improve my cricketing knowledge, says B'desh skipper Mominul Haque

As India and Bangladesh get ready to face each other in a two-match Test series, skipper Mominul Haque on Wednesday said that being the captain of the side will make him more responsible and will help him improve his cricketing knowledge.

"I do not think, being the captain will change my batting style. I will apply the same composure I did earlier and will bat in the same manner. Being a captain will help me become more responsible and it will further improve my cricketing knowledge. As a captain, it is a good opportunity for me to showcase my skills. It will be all about adjusting the mental aspect of the game," Momin told reporters.

Before the tour of India, Bangladesh lost the services of two key players--Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal.

While Tamim opted out of the tour due to personal reasons, Shakib was handed a two-year ban, with one year being suspended for not reporting a match-fixing offer to International Cricket Council's (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).

When asked, how it would be to play without both key players, the skipper replied: "It would be challenging to play without Shakib and Tamim, but the guys are up for the challenge".

The two-match Test series also comprises of a day-night Test slated to be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata from November 22-26. The Bangladesh skipper revealed that the side has not practised with the pink ball ever since coming to India.

"It will be a challenge and it will be an opportunity for everyone. We practised with the pink ball in Dhaka, but we haven't practised with the pink ball ever since coming here. Between the first and second Test, we will get time to prepare for the pink-ball Test. I do not have any experience with the pink ball, so I do not know how much it swings and moves. I do not think it would be a problem. It will be an opportunity as we do not know when we will play with the pink next," Mominul said.

The 28-year-old also said that playing a full-fledged Test series against India will provide the visitors with a good opportunity to showcase their skills.

He also said that the team management has not decided on what the team composition would be for the first Test at Indore.

"Playing a full-fledged Test series against India will provide us with a good opportunity. We all are excited for the challenge that awaits us. We will try to play good cricket. The team management has not decided yet, so I do not know what the composition of our side will be for the first Test. I think it would be a good wicket for batting," Mominul said.

Bangladesh squad for Test series against India: Bangladesh: Mominul Haque (Captain), Shadman Islam, Imrul Kayes, Saif Hasan, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmud Ullah, Md Mithun, Musaddek Hossain Saikat, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Al-Amin Hossain, Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi, Ebadat Hossain.

India and Bangladesh will take on each other in the first Test at Holkar Stadium in Indore from November 14-18.

The two-match Test series is going to be a part of the World Test Championship (WTC). Currently, India is at the top of the WTC standings with 240 points from five matches.