After comprehensive ODI series Bangla wash and impressive maiden T20 win against touring Pakistan team Bangladesh is poised for a two tests bilateral series against very strong Pakistan team.

The first test will start at Sheikh Abu Naser Cricket stadium Khulna on Tuesday, 28 April 2015. Test cricket is entirely different format. Pakistan has a very strong test team which in recent times has embarrassed Australia in UAE through whitewashing them.

Younis Khan and Misbah Ul Huq shattered few world records. Yasir Shah and Zulfiqur Babar teased and tormented Australians. Azhar Ali and Aasd Shafique contributed massively. All will be there in the Pakistan test team.

It will be a massive task for Bangladesh test team to create contest
The coming of age of Bangladesh Cricket team in the recent achievements against Pakistan in ODI and T20 has created renewed hope among tiger fans. They are expecting that Mushfique led tiger squad will leave nothing unturned to prove equal to the task and won’t give any quarter without fight.

But at the same time we must also be realistic that our domestic cricket format does not facilitate growth of world class cricketers for longer formats. Pakistan is a formidable test side and has several highly experienced world class performers. We have to be carefully optimistic and must measure our success and failures in true perspectives.

BCB selection committee has announced the following squad for the first test.

Bangladesh Squad:
Mushfiqur Rahim (Captain), Tamim Iqbal (Vice Captain), Imrul Kayes, Liton Kumar Das, Mominul Hoque, Shakib Al Hasan , Mahmud Ullah, Shuvagata Hom Chowdhury, Soumya Sarker, Taijul Islam, Zubaer Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Shahadat Hossain and Mohammad Shahid.

This writer cannot have firsthand idea about all players playing well consistently in domestic circuit. But from following the media reports; talking with intimate cricket communities deeply associated with Bangladesh cricket we have some observations about the selection. We are a bit surprised that opener Anamul Haq, talented all-rounder Nasir Hossain, emerging talent Shabbir Khan are conspicuously missing from the squad.

Anamul is an aggressive opening batsman and would have continued partnering with Tamim in the world Cup had he not been unfortunately got injured in the match against Scotland. His injury made BCB rush Imrul Kayes to Australia New Zealand. Kayes failed to impress. Both Kayes and Anamul were not there in ODI and T20 teams. Anamul recovered and with BCB clearance appeared in domestic cricket. He played two lovely innings to prove his fitness and form. We strongly feel ignoring him is injustice done to Anamul. Imrul Kayes cannot get preference over Anamul in present circumstances.

Talking about emerging talent Shabbir Rahman, it is ridiculous that he is not in the squad. He socored a brilliant match winning century against visitors in the only warm up match. He also won the man of the match award in T20 match playing a wonderfully attacking innings. A brilliant fielder and wonderful athlete Shabbir must not have been overlooked.

What about Nasir Hossain? He was a bit inconsistent last year. But how wonderfully he has come back. He played some match winning innings in recent times in domestic cricket. He is an attacking batsman, more than useful off spinner and brilliant fielder. How can he be overlooked?

Mashrafee and Taskin cannot be risked for longer version we understand. But is the pace bowling attack selected in the squad can assist our spinners in taking 20 Pakistani wickets or even containing them? How can Shahadat Hossain be preferred over Al Amin? Where is that boy gone? The actions against him during World Cup were based on very weak plea and a budding talent was made frustrated. Al Amin could still be ideal partner for Rubel and Co in Mushfique squad.

We admire giving Soumya, Liton and Shahid opportunities. We also admire selectors faith in talented Mominul and Jubair but we cannot accept ignoring Anamul, Shabbir, Nasir and al Amin. Perhaps selectors will realize. But when they do it will be too late.

Several youngsters are emerging. We must give them level play ground to perform, right treatment based on their talents to prove. We have a feeling that something is not cooking right in BCB kitchen. Selection is not always consistent and fair to say the least.

We have to deal with the selected squad. My team for the first test would be
Tamim Iqbal , Liton Kumar Das, Mominul Hoque, Mushfiqur Rahim ,Shakib Al Hasan , Mahmud Ullah, , Soumya Sarker, Taijul Islam, Zubaer Hossain, Rubel Hossain, and Mohammad Shahid.

With Soumya in the side there will option to bowl him a few overs of medium pace. But the question will be where to slot him to bat. He is ideal top order batsman. But with Liton and Mominul there Soumya cannot bat in top order.

The only other spot can be number five after Mushfique. But then Shakib and Mahamudullah may need to bat with tail enders.We have a feeling that Imrul Kayes will be preferred over either Liton Das (a prolific Scorer in Domestic Cricket for the last couple of season) or Soumya Sarker. Selectors may even prefer Soumya Sarkar.

In that case both Liton and Soumya may not get opportunity. The sectors have given a team .Better would be leaving it to captain and head coach to pick the playing eleven from among them.  Whether or not they play two pacers and two spinners with other bits and pieces bowlers or they opt for three pacers it should be their choice based on wicket condition.

Bangladesh is not favorite for test series. Bangladesh will have to bat against very lethal well experienced bowling combination of pace and spin. They have bowl against seasoned performers like Younis Khan, Misbah, Hafiz and co. Test cricket has to be played consistently well over all sessions over 5 days .One two bad sessions can spoil the gains of other sessions. .But those are not the points now. Bangladesh still has enormous potential to compete well and even turn the table on favorite Pakistan.

BDST: 0821 HRS, APR 26, 2015
AKA