Gibson proud of Bangladeshi pacers performance

DHAKA -Bangladesh fast bowling coach Ottis Gibson was

proud of the way the pacers went hard at New Zealand batters on day one of
the first Test today, denying the visitors to take complete control on the
match.

   According to him, it needs an immense skill to keep New Zealand batters at
bay in a condition, mostly favoured to the batters.

   "I think the fast bowlers bowled well in difficult conditions," Gibson
said. "They toiled really hard. It is hot today. I thought we were brilliant
with the new ball. We pitched the ball up, swung it and beat the bat on
numerous occasions."

   Playing in his just second Test, Shoriful Islam took two wickets while
Ebadot Hossain grabbed one. Another fast bowler Taskin Ahmed though couldn't
take any wicket so far, his opening burst ensured New Zealand batters
couldn't go after Bangladesh bowlers at their will.

   New Zealand were reduced to 258-5 at the end of day one, something for
which Bangladesh could be proud of. Every time they toured in New Zealand
since their elevation as a Test nation in 2000, they found New Zealand
condition for tougher in both batting and bowling and as a result, they
haven't won any match yet in any format on New Zealand soil.

   "We could have had a few more wickets. We are playing against the best
team in the world. There was a close lbw shout against Devon Conway. On
another day, it is given out. Those are the small margins in international
cricket. I am quite proud of the way the boys battled and kept going all
day," Gibson said.

   As they hardly got wicket to their likings at home, Bangladeshi fast
bowlers' improvement always remains slow. So they generally struggle on
overseas soil even if they get seaming condition. But this time the story was
different.

   Gibson said they worked hard on bowling full deliveries that swung, a
factor that often goes missing when they play Tests at home.

   "We have been working on swinging the ball a lot. I think you will see
everyone swung the ball at some point today. We tend to bowl back of length
in Bangladesh because we don't get much swing there.

   Here, we pitched the ball up quite a lot fuller. We have been working hard since getting off the plane in Christchurch," he added.BSS