Rahim begs for positive attitude on field

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim has implored his players to have a positive attitude on the field in the ODI series against India this week, and put pressure on what is really a second-string visiting side.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim has implored his players to have a positive attitude on the field in the ODI series against India this week, and put pressure on what is really a second-string visiting side.

India are without seven of their top players, giving runs to players like Robin Uthappa and Cheteshwar Pujara, who are by no means second-class players. Rahim feels that with seven defeats in seven this year, the Tigers must be aggressive.

Rahim said: "We lost seven one-dayers this year and in terms of body language, we were a bit different. I want that authority in the field. Hopefully we can forget the defeats and start fresh tomorrow. If we can start well tomorrow and finish, the pressure will be on them.

"We have learned that in ODIs, you have to play good cricket for 100 overs. You can't win by just playing well for two hours. We had a few classes [by a life success coach] that helped us as well. The new coaching staff has come so we have worked hard.

"We didn't win any ODIs in 2014 so that could be an extra motivation. This is another chance for us. If we play very well, we might even win all the three games, so this is a different challenge."

His tune was changed about the opposition though, having accused the BCCI of taking the series lightly when this squad was announced: "This is a young Indian side but they are a strong unit.

"All the good IPL players have come but it will not be very easy for them. T20 and ODIs are different. It will be a challenging series."

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