Finally ice is melting. Bangladesh tiger squad is going to embark on Lanka Lion hunt mission in October 2020. 

With virtually no real activities since March 2020 we are not sure whether most of the Bangladesh cricketers are mentally or physically in shape for taking on strong Sri Lanka in their backyard in test series? With Shakib not available till end October and Tamim a bit doubtful the challenge can be well anticipated. 

Lack of positive thoughts of BCB for training and trimming Bangladesh team maintaining bio security protocol and WHO guidelines over the past month and a half may cause Bangladesh team to suffer. The team was not in great shape before the outbreak of COVID pandemic in March in Bangladesh.  Humiliating defeats at the hands of Pakistan and India was also accompanied with shocking test defeat against minnow Afghanistan at home. Before all these Bangladesh was also Lanka washed in ODI series in Sri Lanka. Even then we welcome BCB success in working out revised schedule. Without any fuss BCB should selected a 25-30 members primary squad and after a week’s systematic physical training organize two to three matches intra squad practice matches at BKSP. Bangladesh must take at least 20-22 players considering the COVID contamination in mind.

How Should The Team Squad Be Selected?
A smarter BCB could have organized local league maintaining strict health safety guidelines for giving our players some taste of longer version cricket. This could be organized at BKSP using their accommodation facilities for their teams. These matches would have given selectors opportunities to check some fringe players. Bangladesh test team badly needs some quality and experience. Without being fussy players like Shahriar Nafis, Imrul Kayes, Mohammad Ashraful, Tushar Imran, Naeem Islam, Enamul Haq Bijoy, Taskin should have been given a look. Bangladesh would need at least 6 quality pacers and 5 spinners (including two leg spinners) in the test squad. Absence of Shakib and possibly Tamim Bangladesh may struggle in Sri Lanka. No one should think of the indispensability of Mahmudullah Riad in test team. He is not a number 6 or 7 positioned batsman. He should not bat below 5. 

We are not sure international coaching staff would be allowed to travel to Bangladesh over the next two to three months for the COVID situation in Bangladesh. Sri Lanka situation is far better. It will not be bad at all taking Bangladesh team to Sri Lanka at least a month earlier for training under guidance of international coaches. BCB should try to negotiate for some practice matches there also. If development squad goes there at the same time they can play one or two match against the national team. 

We are not sure what physical shape is Shakib is now? Player like him can easily walk into any team of the world in any format if he is physically trimmed. In that situation Shakib should be included into the team at some stage. Bangladesh would also have to go to New Zealand and possibly have to play few test, T20 and ODI series in 2021. Let us hope for the best.

BDST: 1408 HRS, AUG 12, 2020
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