Rains helped us force a draw: Whatmore

CHITTAGONG: Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore conceded that the rains helped Bangladesh salvage a draw against India in the opening Test that ended on Tuesday.

"I am very satisfied with the result. It would have been a lot harder for us to draw the match had not many sessions been lost to rain. With a deficit of 149 its not easy to hold during a whole Test," Whatmore said at the post-match media briefing.

Praising the batting of Mashrafe Mortaza and Shahdat Hossain, he said, "It was the only exciting part of the whole game, seeing the way we fought back after being down 148/8. It was great to see the two bowlers bring life back into the match."

On whether he expected the Indians to declare, he said, "They had a lead of 149 and then 100 runs in the second innings. I thought they would declare. However, if we had a session in the morning it would have been more interesting."

The Aussie felt that Bangladesh had an outside chance after declaration.

"It's a very difficult call under those circumstances."

On the rains playing spoilsport in the match, he said, "If we didn't play the series now when could we play it. Well the one at Dhaka drains well and this is not the only ground in the world that doesn't drain well. It's unfortunate to have so much rain." 
Asked whether the absence of Kumble was an advantage for Bangladesh, he said, "Kumble has 547 wickets. He is a bowler who would surely pose some challenge and the players were looking forward to playing him."

He also praised Mortaza and Indian seamer R P Singh for bowling with a big heart under tough conditions.

"Mashrafe is a talented boy and is just beginning to understand what he is capable of. He will get better with time. He will become a very good player if he keeps the injuries away," he said.

"R P Singh bowled really well. It's not easy to come and deliver the balls past the bat. The conditions were very hard. They were rewarded eventually but it was hard."