Suspension of Shakib Al Hasan, top ranked all rounder in world cricket for not informing ICC on time the approach of a black listed bookie is now talk of world cricket. For Bangladesh it is a deadly body blow. Bangladesh without Shakib is now in India for a month long tour where they will play three T20 matches and two tests.

This is the first full official tour of Bangladesh Cricket team to India. Bangladesh starts its journey in World Test Championship with the first of series. Diminutive top order batsman Mominul Haq will lead the test team while veteran all rounder Mahmuduallh Riad would captain T20 team. Playing against formidable Indian team in India in any format by any team is a huge challenge. 

Bangladesh with Shakib in current form could have created some contest. Now without Shakib the tasks and challenges for Bangladesh would get more intense. When a team like Bangladesh gets deprived off the services of worlds top all rounder of all formats and that too when he is in top form one can easily imagine how it impacts upon the team. Bangladesh would loose its captain, best bowler in all condition and one of the leading batsman. It will definitely be a huge challenge losing an impact player and captain. However, accepting the reality the rest of the team must raise their level to greater heights and senior professionals like ImrulKayes, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riad must inspire with their usual superlative performances.

Bangladesh T20 Squad 

MahmudullahRiad, LitonDas ,NaeemShiekh, SoumyaSarkar , Mushfiqur Rahim, AfifHossain, MosaddeqHossain, Taijul Islam, Aminul Islam, Arafat Sani, Al Amin Hossain, MustafizurRahman , Shafiul Islam, Abu HaidarRony, Abu JayedRahi.

Even without Shakib Bangladesh should create strong challenge for India in T20. Inclusion of young players like Naeem Shiekh, Afif Hossain and Aminul Islam and return of Al Amin after a while should stimulate Bangladesh. Soumya and Liton must bat with additional care. Mushfique and Mahmudullah should shoulder additional responsibility in absence of Shakib. Mosaddeq and Mithun must bat with greater care and resolve.  Combination Of Mustafiz, Al Amin, Shafiul Islam/Rony/Rahi should make Bangladesh pace attack stronger. Taijul, Aminul and Afif should take good care of spin department. In the recent past Bangladesh went tantalizingly close to beating India in shorter version. But for absence of mental toughness Bangladesh failed to win. Hope younger players playing aggressive cricket would change the mindset. Absence of Shakib should act as new tonic for cementing their resolve.

Bangladesh Test Squad:

Mominul Haq, Mehedy Hasan Miraj, Mosaddeq Hossain, Imrul Kayes, Sadman Islam, Saif Hasan, Mohammad Mithun, Taizul Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riad, Al Amin Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Liton Das, Naeem Hasan, Ebadat Hossain, Abu Jayed Rony.

Bangladesh for different reasons could not grow yet as a good test team even after playing in the elite club for so many years. Moreover, recent loss to lowly Afghanistan at home created credibility questions. On the other hand India is very strong in Test team. In recent past India outplayed strong South Africa. Several players are in the form of their life. None should expect Bangladesh stretching strong India in test cricket. Moreover, the team without ace all rounder and Captain Shakib would find it extremely difficult to create contest. I am not sure what motivated Tamim to skip the entire series. He could easily fly back for staying beside his expectant wife at the right moment. Anyway absence of two key players has presented great opportunities for young players to grab with both hands. 

Veteran Imrul Kayes is a proven performer. Young Shaman Islam is maturing well as a long haul test opener. We hope additional responsibility of leading an underdog team against strong opposition would not impact upon performance of Mominul. Mushfique and Mahmuduallah have to produce their best as usual. Liton, Mohammad Mithun and Saif Hasan should give the middle order solidity. We are sure whatever be the case wickets would favor Rabindra Jadeja and his spinning partners. Bangladesh must bat well against Indian spinners. Bangladesh has packed the test squad with four pacers. India may not produce pace favoring wickets.  In absence of Shakib Bangladesh spin attack must comprise of Taijul, Meraj and Naeem Hasan, Either Afif or Aminul should have been included also. Off course there is options for using Mosaddeq and Mahmudullah. It is to be seen how Mominul handles the team under pressure.

We must not have a mindset that Bangladesh would win or create contest. It is almost impossible handling shocks of losing a top international player like Shakib just before the tour. Moreover, there has been a lot of distraction from players and BCB episode. Cricket admirers must stay beside and behind team tigers come what may.

BDST: 1125 HRS, OCT 31, 2019
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