Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has just announced a 14-member squad for the one off test starting at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium Chottogram from 5 August.
Some changes were expected following self exclusion of star opening batsman TamimIqbal opting to rest from the series as he was going through prolonged bad patch during CWC2019. But exclusion of Mustafiz (reportedly having a bit of a niggle) and Imrul Kayes may have surprised few. BCB selection committee chairman has given logical explanation for these.
Apart from the above selection of Mithun over Jahurul Islam may be only other decision that may be contested. Otherwise we think the best squad at this moment has been selected.
Bangladesh Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (Cap), Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Kumar, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mohammad Mithun, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Abu Jayed, Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain.
Afghanistan is a rookie in test cricket. They were blown out by strong India in the only test they played so far after getting into the big league .But they have proved their potentail in limited overs cricket .
In T20 they white washed Bangladesh last time they met and in CWC 2019 they played well although they failed winning any match. They possess some world class performers. They are coming prepared after practising in their adopted home in India and recently they practised in Abu Dhabi before flying in to Dhaka. Afghans will appear in a triangular T20 series against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe after playing the test. The squads for the two series are
Afghanistan Test squad: Rashid Khan (C), Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, IhsanullahJanat, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, HashmatullahShahidi, Ikram Ali Khil, Zahir Khan, JavedAhmadi, SayedShirzad, YameenAhmadzai, AfsarZazai, ShapoorZadran, Qais Ahmad.
Afghanistan T20I squad: Rashid Khan (C), Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, HazratullahZazai, NajeebTarakai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf, NajibullahZadran, Shahidullah Kamal, KarimJanat, GulbadinNaib, Farid Ahmad Malik, ShafiqullahShafaq, FazalNiazai, DawlatZadran, Naveen ulHaq, RahmanullahGurbaz.
What Is Expected In The Contest?
In this write up let us discuss about the one off test only. Afghans are yet to come to terms with the longer version international cricket. Their main weapon is still their very potent spin attack. Crafty leg spinner Rashid Khan would become the youngest ever player to lead a test team as soon as he goes for toss with Shakib in Chottogram. He has with him another quality leg spinner Qais Ahmed and we all are aware about experienced off spinner all rounder Mohammad Nabi.
Bangladesh may not benefit much playing on traditionally spinning track. We have learnt from statements of BCB officials and we guess from the selection of Bangladesh squad that efforts would be there for leaving some grass on the wicket which may assist pacers. Bangladesh may not nreed to woory playing against Afghanistan pacers. On the other hand it needs to be seen how Taskin returning to Bangladesh team after a while perform and whether he is paired with tall Ebadat Hossain. The new Bangladesh coaching staff head coach and bowling coach appears optimistic about tall pacers. It will be interesting to see whether Bangladesh go with three pacers and stick to two pacers, two spinners and Shakib. It will all depend on type of surface there. However, there will be a two days warm up match starting tomorrow.
As far as team selection is concerned omission of Mustafiz needs discussion. Chief selector Minhazul Abedin has mentioned about a bit of niggle developing with Mustafiz during conditioning camp. They have preferred for resting him keeping him fresh for T20 series and more demanding test series against India coming soon. But in the test how many overs Mustafiz would have bowled in one spell?
If any partnership of Afghans get big and if some one is required to wipe out the tail Mustafiz would be missed. If he is fit for T20 series he could very well play the test as bulk of the bowling in any case would be done by Shakib, Taizul and Miraj/ Nayeem in any case .Can not agree with BCB resting Mustafiz . If he is essential for test against India he should be prepared in test environment. Moreover, Taskin would be playing after a break and none others including Abu Jayed are expected to take too many wickets .In absence of Tamim in the opening slot experienced Imrul Kayes was the first choice partnering with Shadman Islam. But Kayes has his son down with Dengue fever in the hospital. Soumya and Liton are there to cover. As usual lot would depend on little bird Mominul and Mushfique to do bulk of the scoring .Then we have inform Shakib and veteran Mahmudullah to lead the batting. I am not sure Mithun would fit better in top order than inform JahurulIslam . Why not NazmulHossianShanto considered for selection? Mosaddeq would be useful in the late middle order. In world cup only Shakib and Mushfique were consistent with the bat. In absence of Tamim ,Mahmudullah , Soumya and Litonwoulfd have to raise their hands. Mominul and Shadman are also expected to contribute.
Bangladesh must not panic considering too much too early about Afghan spin attack. Bangladesh batsmen on Bangladesh wicket plays spin as good as any team. It is on spinning wickets Bangladesh trapped Australia and England in tests. Hurriedly prepared gassy wickets may bounce back upon Bangladesh. If Rashid Khan, Nabi and Qais get purchase from turning track why not Shakib, Taijul and Miraj?
Afghanistan success will however greatly depend on their batsmen batting well and batting longer giving their quality spin attack enough runs to defend. Rashid will have two past captains Asghar Afghan and Nabi for required advice .He also have wise brain above young shoulders. Bangladesh must not think it would be a cake walk .Although Bangladesh starts favourite each player have to put in best efforts to win against Afghanistan. Winning wont earn much for them excepting confidence and any other result will be unexpected if not the test is rained out.
BDST: 1225 HRS, AUG 31, 2019
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