Team tigers after indifferent performance in the recently concluded Rocket Tri Nation ODI tournament would lock horns with visiting Lankan lions at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in port city Chittagong.
Bangladesh will have to put the horror memory of the immediate past Tri nation tournament final and test series against South Africa in South Africa.
It is going to be a new series on a new venue against the same opposition whom they beat last time they met in test on tour to their country. But a major difference is ICC top ranked all rounder Bangladesh Captain Shakib Al Hasan is injured and unfit for playing. Ironically Shakib skipped the immediate past test series against South Africa for taking rest. He wanted staying away from test cricket for 6 months. Now nature has forced him out. He can not play in Chittagong, not sure he will be fit for Dhaka test even.
Circumstances alter cases. Mahmuduallh Riyad was not even in the test squad that played against Australia at home. He was even dropped from the centenary test of Bangladesh played against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. He has got his well deserved responsibility of leading Bangladesh against that very Sri Lanka coached by that very person Hathurusingha instrumental for devaluing a great Bangladeshi batting all rounder.
The injury to ace all rounder Shakib Al Hasan opened the door for him. He was deputy to Shakib in any case. Hope another Hathuru discard left arm spinner Abdur Razzak would be in the playing XI for his high quality consistent performance in local cricket since he was overlooked from national side.
Shakib is three in one player. He is the main weapon in Bangladesh bowling arsenal, his aggressive batting gives Bangladesh great depth and diversity and he is also very sharp and agile in the field In absence of Shakib Bangladesh has to look for two and a half player to replace him. Yet he can not be replaced.
But no one remains indispensible for ever. Team has to move and surely Bangladesh would. Bangladesh has called five spinners following Shakib injury. Veteran left arm spinner Abdur Razzak is back. He recently took his tally of wickets to 500 in domestic cricket. If his fitness is OK he must walk into the team to pair with off spinner all rounder Mehedy Miraj. We are not sure Bangladesh would appear with three spinners. If so Taijul would be the right choice. Naeem and Tanvir may have to stay in the dug out.
My team tigers for Chittagong test would be Tamim, Kayes, Mominul, Mahmuduallh , Mushfique, Liton Das , Mosaddek , Mehedi Miraj, Razzak , Mustafiz and Kamrul Rabbi.
Terrific Tamim is in scintillating form. True he had two off days in the last two ODIs. But he played exceptionally well in three matches prior to that. On current form he is among the top batsmen in world cricket. Imrul Kayes did not appear in ODI. But he is the most ideal partner of Tamim in longer version.
Inclusion of Liton Das as wicket keeper batsman will leave option of slotting him as opener if team management thinks so. Mominul is the appropriate no three batsmen for his class, composure and skill. Hope the ‘Little Bird’ is in his cool customary mood and temperament. The quality middle comprising of Mahmudullah, Mushfique, Liton, Mosaddek and Mehedy Miraj should more than compensate for the absence of Shakib. If Chittagong produces a spinning wicket the middle order would have required quality and class to confront.
We are not sure whether Mosaddek has recovered completely from eye issue. If Bangladesh desires to play with three specialist spinner Taijul may get into the team in place of Mosaddek. But the young talented batting all rounder, himself can bowl spin and can be brought into use by Riyad on spinning track. He is much better batting talent and would be handy in the late middle order as top to early order would be in Batting Grid Lock.
I would like to see Kamrul Islam Rabbi steady swinging pacer partnering Fizz in red cherry opening attack. Mustafiz is strike wicket taking bowler. He must not bowl longer spells. Rubel is also a shocker. Both Rubel and Mustafiz have injury history. Pairing them would be great risk. I think Abdur Razzak with his excellent quality and very rich experience would effectively fill the void created from the absence of Shakib. He will be ideal foil of Mehedy Miraj. If Bangladesh think positive Taijul should also be included. In that case either Liton Das or Mosaddek would have to sit out. Bangladesh would be one batsman short.
Even though Bangladesh lost two back to back ODI against Sri Lanka yet in test Bangladesh starts as favorite even without Shakib. Few players and team Bangladesh has lot to prove against a team coached by former Bangladesh Coach Chandika Hathurusingha.
BDST: 0800 HRS, JAN 31, 2018
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