Rahim calls for mental toughness (From Asian Image)

Rahim calls for mental toughness

9:44am Thursday 8th December 2011 in Sport

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim believes his team need to increase their mental toughness if they are to bounce back from their defeat in the one-day series when they face Pakistan in the first Test at Chittagong.

Pakistan claimed a 3-0 whitewash in the 50-over format, with floodlight failure in the final ODI allowing the tourists to turn the game in their favour to continue the winning streak.

Mushfiqur admitted the interruption in play had worked against his side but suggested the Tigers' problems were much deeper rooted.

"I have said already that technically we have some difficulties," Mushfiqur told ESPN Cricinfo. "But we were also mentally demoralised.

"When you see batsman score runs like Nasir [Hossain] and Shakib Al Hasan are doing for us, they play differently.

"You can see it in [Pakistan] as well, players like Misbah-Ul-Haq and [Umar] Akmal. But when you are not making runs, your shot selection goes wrong, which is what happening for us."

The wicketkeeper has urged his side to be prepared to bat for longer periods in a bid to reverse their batting slump.

"We made some poor shot selections which got us out," he continued. "I think we have to be a bit strong mentally and stay a bit more positive in our shot selection.

"We have to spend time at the wicket, if we can do that may be we will be able to realise the nature of wicket and build up an inning. It is not happening now."

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq agreed with his opposite number's assessment.

"They are struggling in the batting department," he said. "It is really difficult for the batsmen if they are short of confidence.

"I think that's what is happening with them. I think they have to really improve their batting."

Middle-order batsman Mohammad Ashraful has been recalled to the Bangladesh squad for the two tests against Pakistan after he missed out for the ODI series.

Vice-captain Mahmudullah, medium-pacer Robiul Islam and batsman Nazimuddin are the other inclusions in Bangladesh's 15-man group in place of opener Imrul Kayes and middle-order batsmen Raqibul Hasan and Shuvagata Hom.

Kayes was axed after a string of poor performances in the ODIs which saw him amass only 53 runs to add to the 61 he scored in the two tests against the West Indies.

Shuvagata Hom has not yet made his Test debut and Raqibul was cut after a poor A tour of the Caribbean.