Bangladesh starts the two matches test series from tomorrow at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury in Chittagong against ICC top ranked test team South Africa. It will be definitely difficult challenges. South Africa now starts as favorite against any team in test series anywhere in the world. But there is no reason why Bangladesh cannot play to their full potential and provide stronger challenges as they are looking a different unit with strong self-belief. But team think tank needs to have well thought match plan, select the right combination and appear with positive mindset.

One comment in social media on the recent successive successes of Bangladesh cricket team in ODI series against Pakistan, India and South Africa appeared to us the most appropriate. Bangladesh cricket team is no longer the emerging tigers; they are the roaring tigers scaring any one in their den.

Legendary Indian Batsman Sunil Manohar Gavaskar advised the critics of Bangladesh cricket to observe silence. According to one of the great batsman of all time, Bangladesh is winning matches purely on merit. They have the potential of winning matches abroad as well. He was irked from some childish comments of ex Pakistani Cricketers Sarfraz Nawaz and Ramiz Raza. Gavaskar sounded highly optimistic about teenager prodigy Mustafiz Rahman. He himself was the best batsman against the fearsome West Indian Fast Bowlers Roberts, Marshall, Holding, and Garner in their hey days. He thought Mustafiz must be nursed carefully as cricket analysts in other countries will soon carry out research on his strength and weaknesses. Then his real challenge will come.

Media in most test playing countries are of full praise for Mashrafe Squad for the fearless, aggressive, quality cricket they are producing. This has completely changed for the better the team chemistry.  Minnows of other day are growing as masters. Bangladesh media also should remain positive in controlling emotions and in not creating hypes. There are reasons to really positively optimistic. But it is at the same time true that Bangladesh is not yet the best team of the world across all formats.

What Kind Of Wickets Should Be Ideal?
We have to keep in mind that test cricket is played over 15 sessions on five days. It requires patience, application, temperament and skill. It changes hues from session to session. A team has to consistently keep plugging away. Playing few good sessions and then losing the way must not the strategy.

Preparing and presenting flat dead surfaces and slow turning wickets will not serve Bangladesh any good. Bangladesh in recent times batted well on sporting wickets. Leading batsmen can now handle short bouncy stuff much better. Bowlers like Steyn, Philander and Morkel can cause trouble to any batsman anywhere on any surfaces. If Bangladesh presents a dead surface to take out the venom of South African bowlers then Rubel, Mustafiz and Shahid will get nothing out of it. Amla, Q de Cock, du Plessis and JP Duminy will make merry.

Playing the best test bowling attack on a relatively sporting wicket at home will assist team think tank assessing the improved batting quality of Bangladeshis. If Bangladesh has to advance from its present miserable test standing there is no other option but trying to play against quality opposition on sporting wickets at home. When Bangladesh goes to play in England, South Africa and Australia they will not get wickets to their liking in any case.

Let there be sporting wickets having some assistance to both pace bowlers and spinners. Let us see how our boys play. Playing on dead surfaces before let South Africans created few batting records against Bangladesh in the past. If that happens again the world cricket community will get wrong signal.

We can guarantee that if matches go to full distance nature and type of wicket will matter little. Better fight on sporting surfaces with our fearless positive brand of cricket. Going down fighting will be much better than getting knocked out without even trying to fight.

What Should Be the Team?
All 14 selected in the squad are definitely the best of their kind now in Bangladesh. Now the team management has to select the playing eleven judging the nature of playing surface. Horses for the courses will require proper game plan and appropriate match strategy to deliver against formidable opposition. Selectors smartly picked Mustafiz and Nasir in the squad. They also retained Liton Das leaving option for using him as wicket keeper if captain thinks it wise not to keep the wicket. Liton is genuine top order batsmen and his batting type suits playing newish ball and building the innings slowly. But Musfique’s decision of keeping or not keeping will have significant bearing on the selection of playing eleven.

We think with Mahmudullah back again the number four slot is already reserved for him and Liton cannot get in. We have noticed that Mushfique bats well when he keeps well also. Unless his finger is still bothering him we suggest Mustafiz continues his triple role of leading the team, keeping wickets and stabilise the batting linking the top and lower middle order. The position number 1,2 &3 are automatic choice for Tamim, Kayes and Mominul for their proven skills. Having the top quality batting talents of Mahmudullah, Mushfique and Shakib at number 4,5 &6  Bangladesh may have a dilemma of choosing one between Soumya and Nasir. It is where Bangladesh requires being very proactive. Both are in great form and will definitely deliver for the team.

Will Bangladesh appear with 8 batsman and three bowlers or it will be better to have 7 batsmen and four bowlers that will be the key. Against very strong South African batting, it may prove counterproductive appearing with only three genuine bowlers and Shakib.

If Bangladesh goes for the 7 batsman and four bowlers option then it can play Soumya instead of Nasir. But if 8 batsmen and three bowlers is the way to go then both can be accommodated.

The other dilemma will be to choose one from Jubair and Taijul. Playing both will keep require either Rubel or Mustafiz bowling longer spells. It will better playing three pacers letting Shahid carrying out workman’s task. My heart is telling to include Jubair but head is telling about Taijul. If the wicket has some bounce Jubair will be of better utility, if the wicket is double paced (ups and down) Taijul will be better choice.

My suggested team would be
Tamim, Kayes, Mominul, Mahamudullah, Mushfiqur, Shakib, Nasir, Taijul/Jubair, Rubel, Shahid and Mustafiz

If team opts to play 8 batsmen then Soumya will get in and one pacer goes out. That will not make selection a bit tricky as neither Rubel (returned from Injury) nor Mustafiz (young shoulders will get burnt) can be risked for bowling longer spell. One of them will have to sit out.

We must not expect Bangladesh all of a sudden creates revolution against the top test playing though they do not have AB de Villiers in the team. They still have very high quality batting and definitely the best test bowling resources. But positive thinking, right playing eleven and good sporting playing surface can create more completion in the test series.

BDST: 0927 HRS, JULY 20, 2015
RS/