Williams encouraged by Sylhet's pacer-friendly surface

Ahead of the opening game of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, Zimbabwe's Sean Williams said on Friday that they are encouraged with the wicket in Sylhet as it traditionally helps pacers.

Bangladesh's head coach Phil Simmons earlier insisted that they want to play the Test on a proper wicket rather than going for a spin friendly surface, a tested formula Bangladesh opt for while hosting Tests. Williams added that they have got a couple of good pacers who can take advantage from it.

"I think we have had good preparation, particularly back in Zimbabwe, the guys have had a lot of game time. Our seamers have been bowling pretty well back there. The make-up and mental side of the team, the atmosphere in the group is really bubbly. It has been awesome," Williams, who made his return to the Test squad for this tour after missing Zimbabwe's previous Test against Ireland, told reporters at Sylhet on Friday.

"It is a little bit of a different pitch this time. Back then it was slower and lower, it had a little bit of spin. This time there's more grass and it is seam-friendly," he said

"Majority of the wickets go to seamers here. It is a seamer-friendly surface. We have some skilled and world renowned bowlers in our side. We have Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava, apart from Victor Nyauchi and Trevor Gwandu coming through as well. It is going to be an interesting contest," he said.

Williams admitted that they are well aware of Bangladesh's pace attack but insisted that they are not diverting their entire focus on new pace sensation Nahid Rana. "I think they (Bangladesh's pacers) are excellent. I have watched the Bangladesh pace attack grow and grow through the years. The amount of players they get to select from, is incredible. I have really enjoyed the growth within Bangladesh," said Williams.

"There are a lot of people who can bowl fast nowadays. Not just one person. We are prepared for that. We have bowling machines that bowl faster than human beings. It is a great thing," he said when his attention was drawn regarding Rana.

Williams added that he is well aware of the upcoming challenge and pointed out the need to be mentally focused in order to be successful. "I have toured Bangladesh so many times. It is pretty simple. The sleep, hydration and food is important to come across to this side of the world. According to the wickets, you have to identify the things and remove distractions. You have to get mentally focused, which is the key," said Williams.

"Both teams have had great preparation but it will go down to the mental side of preparation, to see how the boys will cope and remove the distractions," he concluded.