DHAKA, Oct 30, 2024 (BSS) - Bangladesh spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed said the batters should improve their patience level to thrive in the Test cricket.

His comment came after the Day 2 of the game of the second and final cricket Test as Bangladesh were reduced to 38-4, replying to South Africa's mammoth 575-6 declared.

While the abysmal batting show has been recurring, Mushtaq said there is no lack of skill that haunted Bangladesh, rather it's the patience issue.

"I disagree with you saying lack of skill. May be patience level can be better. Test cricket is all about playing according to the situation," Mushtaq told the reporters in Chattogram today.

"It is about surviving that period of 40 minutes. Shadman got very unlucky to be caught down the leg-side. We have to improve in these areas."

South Africa rode on three maiden centuries from different batters (Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs and Wiaan Mulder), which is the second instance in Test cricket's history since Gerry Gomez, Robert Christiani and Clyde Walcott did it for West Indies against India in Delhi in 1948.

Bangladesh are now trailing by 537 runs and a potential follow-on scare loomed heavily. To avoid the follow-on, they still need 338 runs, which looked beyond their imagination given their recent vulnerability with the willow.

"We have to focus on that thing. I think Taijul bowled brilliantly. He has a very good variation but they played him very well. This pitch was flat on the first day. Still is on the slower side. We have to improve in these areas quickly," Mushtaq pointed out. 

Since their historical series against Pakistan, Bangladesh's Test performance took a huge nosedive. They had a horrible tour in India and now at home, they are at the receiving end.

Mushtaq said Test cricket is all about maintaining the process, rather than being satisfied with just an outcome. 

"You have to remember your process rather than your outcome. When sometimes you achieve your goals or outcomes, you forgot the process. Good teams do things consistently," he remarked. 

"They remember the processes of winning matches. It is our duty as coaches to keep reminding them about the process."

Mushtaq also laid emphasis on game awareness to improve performance in longer version format. 

"I don't think there's lack of confidence. Maybe it's lack of the Test cricket process. It is about game awareness. (You have to know) when to leave the ball. You have to play tightly. You have to see off these five overs. (It's all about) mindset. They just have to understand the situation."

But he heaped praise on Taijul who claimed five wickets in the flat pitch.

"Taijul bowled brilliantly. He varied his pace. That's why he got wickets on a flat track. Miraz could have bowled a little bit better. He didn't have consistency to bowl good overs rather than good balls."