Pakistan national cricket team’s red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie made a sensational statement ahead of the fifth and final day of the second Test against the Bangladesh national cricket team.

The ongoing Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh will enter its final day on September 3, and the visitors look the favourites to seal the victory.

After the first day’s play went to pot, the Bangla Tigers did a good job in the first innings to bowl out Pakistan for 274, with Saim Ayub, Shan Masood and Salman Agha being half-centurions for the hosts.

In reply, Bangladesh initially looked miserable with the bat and were reduced to 26/6 but heroics from Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took Bangladesh to 262.

Then, a poor batting display by Pakistan in the third innings led to them being bowled out for 172 and setting a target of 185 runs for Bangladesh. At stumps on day 4, Bangladesh were 42/0 with just 143 runs to go for victory.

Meanwhile, Jason Gillespie admitted that Bangladesh were the favourites but encouraged Pakistan’s players to remain confident ahead of the final day.

“It’s true that the odds are probably in Bangladesh’s favour,” he told the news conference. “We’re not scared of that, but we’ve already lost if we go out on the field expecting to lose. We took 6 for 26 in the first innings, so we know we can have an impact with the ball if we bowl really well.”

Jason Gillespie also revealed that he had a talk with Pakistan’s bowlers and strictly told them to be ruthless and disciplined.

“We’ve talked to our players about being relentless, disciplined and playing with intent,” Jason Gillespie said.

“We have deviated from our game plan and I have challenged the bowlers quite strongly in that regard. We have to make sure that we are up to par at all times because Test cricket can slip through our fingers. The opposition is very good and I will not hesitate to say that Bangladesh played well. There is no doubt about it. But I know that our bowlers can do better in that situation than they showed and we just have to make sure that the execution is absolutely perfect at all times.”

“Reflecting on it, and I spoke to the bowlers about it this morning, we have to identify those periods where maybe the ball has gotten a bit older and maybe the surface has settled. We just have to hang in there and not try to go for wickets, because you can fall into that trap. And I think that’s probably what we did a bit.”

I hope we can create some theatre and put a smile on some people’s faces. – Jason Gillespie

Jason Gillespie further urged Pakistan players to take the field on day five with the mindset of winning the match otherwise they will lose without a doubt. He was also hopeful that his team would give their all on the field and win the second Test match to bring a smile to the faces of Pakistan fans. Jason Gillespie explained:

“Hopefully tomorrow we can do well and try to win a Test match. We have to have that mindset because if we go out on the field expecting to lose, well, I guarantee you will lose. But if we go out on the field with the mindset and belief that we can try to change the game, then there is hope. Sometimes, you need things to go your way but we have to have that attitude and mindset that we are going to go out and win the Test match for Pakistan.

“We have to take our chances, take every opportunity that comes our way, you never know. This game can create all kinds of drama, so hopefully tomorrow we can create some theatre and put a smile on some people’s faces here in Pakistan.”

If Pakistan wins the second Test match against Bangladesh, it will be Shan Masood’s first win as the red-ball captain of the team.