DHAKA, Sept 4, 2024 (BSS)-After a landmark success in Pakistan, Bangladesh 
oozed with confidence to thrive in India where they will visit later this 
month for two Tests and three T20 Internationals.

Batter Jaker Ali Anik, a vital cog in Bangladesh's T20 set up, believes that 
India now won't take them lightly in any format of cricket after the Test 
team's performance in Pakistan.

"We have now started our training session for the white ball series of the 
tour of India," Jaker Ali said in Mirpur today as the T20 regulars of 
Bangladesh began practice session officially.

"We got a watershed moment in our history by winning a series against 
Pakistan . This win is a great inspiration for all of us. Everyone played 
well. India will not take us lightly this time. Even Former Indian cricketers 
are also urging their national team to give importance to the Bangladesh 
series."

The likes of Mahmudullah Riyad, Afif Hossain, Soumya Sarkar, Shamim Patwari 
and some others were present this session along with Jaker Ali under the 
supervision of local coach Sohail Islam. The players who were with Test team 
will start training from September 8.

Despite the change in format, the confidence, stemming from the success in 
Pakistan will also help them, Jaker said.

 " When teams perform well against bigger opponents, a different kind of 
confidence builds. So format doesn't matter. We will go to India to win. Our 
target is to achieve the best results in the series."

Last time when Bangladesh toured in India in 2019, they won a T20 game but 
eventually lost the three-match series by 2-1. They, however, lost all of two 
Tests and both of the Tests ended inside three days. 

Cricketers have credited local coaches for their success in Pakistan. 

"Sohail sir, Babul (Mizanur Rahman) sir has seen us since childhood. They 
have a good idea about each cricketer. The impact is also high. I think the 
way they take care of us, it's encouraging for us. So I think their role is 
also much greater."

Zaker has also praised the leadership skill of Najmul Hossain Shanto, saying 
"Shanto is a great captain and you have already got the proof of that. He 
took several risks in the series. When you take risks as a captain, the 
results may or may not come in your favor but most of the time, it brings 
positive vibe. However, a captain should have the courage to take risks and 
that's what Shanto possesses." 

Bangladesh will leave the country for India on September 15 with the first 
Test in Chennai beginning from September 19.