Players motivated to do well in West Indies: Salahuddin

Bangladesh's newly appointed senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin believes the cricketers are well motivated to do well in West Indies despite a recent lean patch that saw them losing Test series to India and South Africa and ODI series to Afghanistan, reports BSS.

Bangladesh will play a full bilateral series against West Indies in their month long tour that included all three formats of cricket.

They will start with Test series, a format in which they still remain vulnerable. Bangladesh also were not able to win any series in Caribbean Island since 2009 when they swept two-match series against a depleted West Indies side.

"(But) the best thing is that the boys are motivated to play well. Everyone wants to wear the white jersey," said Salahuddin in a video message posted by the Bangladesh Cricket Board on their social media handle.

"I am really delighted to seeing everyone's work ethic. Hopefully they will make a difference this time around."

14 years ago Mohammad Salahuddin's journey as assistant coach of Bangladesh team began in West Indies. Coincidentally he started his new mission as senior assistant coach also in West Indies.

"After 14 years I came back to West Indies, where I started my coaching career. Good to be here again." Salahuddin thinks the players are thirstier than ever to do well.

"These boys have big dreams too. They want to break the barrier and go higher. Hope they do very well."

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam also spoke after the day's practice session.

He said that they are preparing themselves fully before the tough series.

"We had a long journey. After coming here we had some light training session.

We did some skill practice. The facilities here are very good here. As a team we are preparing well," he said.

The first Test starts in Antigua starts from November 22 while Kingstown, Jamaica will host the second and final Test from November 30. Before that Bangladesh will play a two-day warm-up game that begins today (Sunday) in Antigua.