Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced unchanged Sqaud for the second and final Dan Cake Test against Pakistan. We do not think there was any other choice.
Almost every one played their role to the best of their ability making it extremely difficult for the team think tank to consider including any one from outside the squad although there were lot of discussion in social media about Shabbir and Nasir. But the way all eight batsman performed in whatever opportunity they got we do not think there is any batting spot left in the team. There is long season lying ahead. India, South Africa, Australia are coming .There will be enough opportunity for everyone in different format.
Bangladesh squad for 2nd Test: Tamim Iqbal (Vice Captain), Imrul Kayes, Liton Kumar Das, Mominul Hoque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (Captain) Mahmudullah, Shuvagata Hom Chowdhury, Soumya Sarker, Taijul Islam, Zubaer Hossain, Shahadat Hossain and Mohammad Shahid.
Bangladesh batted so admirably in the second innings that it has stunned the cricket world. Many could hardly believe that a team from almost 300 run deficit can come back so strongly against a quality bowling attack. Wicket may not have much for the bowlers. But the fearless batting of brave Bangladeshi batsmen especially the world recording setting eclectic batting of Tamim and Kayes was acclaimed by cricket experts. They deserve all the credit for bringing Bangladesh back from the jaw of defeat to an honorable draw. Mahamudullah, Shakib, Soumya also contributed. Such a brave performance after white washing Pakistan in ODI series and winning the lone T20 in emphatic manner must have raised the hope and expectations of diehard fans that Bangladesh may even beat Pakistan and win the series.
To be honest and realistic though nothing is impossible in a game of glorious uncertainty Pakistan is much more experienced in test cricket and they have better bowlers and more experienced batsmen. It will be a huge achievement if Bangladesh can earn another test draw and avoid the defeat. To do that Bangladesh will not only have to bat well it will have reassess its bowling resources and bowl consistently well over longer duration. Bangladesh in the first test did not ball consistently well.
Almost all the bowlers in every over one or two loose deliveries are giving Pakistani batsmen easy opportunity of freeing their arms. The bowling on the second and third day was very inconsistent. Premiere bowlers Shakib was most inconsistent. Actually Pakistani batsmen implemented a plan not to allow Shakib settle down. They attacked Shakib from the word go. Taijul and Shubhagato in some spells bowled well and extracted some turn and bounce. We do not consider Shakib will not bounce back. He is too good a bowler to bowl like what he did in the first test. The only change team think tank could consider bringing in Nasir for Shubhagato. As all-rounder Nasir possibly is more experienced and better quality. But Shubhgato bowled well and in two innings looked good with the bat. There may be thoughts of including Zubayer in playing eleven to add variety to the attack. But will Bangladesh risk playing one less batsman .Perhaps not. Shahid in his debut test did not bowl consistently well. But he was a bit unlucky not to get Azhar out early on. Also Mushfique possibly was not right in not persisting with him after one over in the opening spell. Shahid deserves another opportunity at least. Lion has to wait out as there is no room in the top order. Soumya played at number seven and in both innings got start .Perhaps he understood the difference of test and limited over matches .He will grow with experience.
We are not very sure whether Dhaka wicket will have more pace or will it turn and bounce as match goes on. Experience Pakistani bowlers will adjust to the condition better it seems and Misbah is a thinking captain. We have to also think that Bangladesh rarely plays tests and our key players have little opportunity of playing so many international matches in such rapid frequency. At one stage we thought whether Taskin can be risked for the test.
Could be used in small short burst. But with India coming next month Bangladesh cannot risk any injury to its premiere bowlers. He is still learning. The changes in the playing eleven which may be discussed may be Liton in place of Soumya as Liton is also a regular Wicket keeper. We are not sure whether Mushfiqur Rahim has fully recovered. He can play as a batsman and Liton may be included as a wicket keeper batsman. If the wicket is expected to assist spinners I would suggest playing Zubayer in place of Shubhagato.
After this write up was completed the news came that Rubel is ruled out of second test for injury. He is the main strike bowler. I will suggest bringing Al Amin in place of Rubel.
A performance to full potential will be expected. Another honorable draw will be highly expected. But from the very outset we must not have that negative mentality for draw. If there is a sniff for a win we must grab it with both hands as we have nothing to lose.
BDST: 1548 HRS, MAY 4, 2015
AKA
