Concern over Test pacers
The final round of the Bangladesh Cricket League, which begins today, was delayed by the team management solely to provide Bangladesh's national players with four-day practice ahead of the Test series against India.
However, that plan seems to have taken a hit since a number of the national players from the preliminary squad for the India series won't be featuring in the competition due to various reasons. And that is likely to severely affect Bangladesh's bowling line-up for the lone Test.
Of the 23-member squad, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Jubair Hossain, Abul Hasan, Taijul Islam and Mohammad Shahid are the bowlers who are expected to be considered for the Test. However, only three of them will be featuring in the last round.
Rubel, who is recovering from a side-strain, has been advised against playing and Abul Hasan hasn't been in the best form lately.
While Shafiul was deemed fit by the physio, he opted out. "I only started bowling in the nets two days ago. I feel that if I rush into a four-day game now, it may be risky for me. The physio and the medical team have said that am not injured.
"But I think I am yet to regain my 'bowling fitness'. I can't comment on whether I will be fit in time to play the Test. I can answer that after five to six days of bowling practice," Shafiul told The Daily Star.
The lack of options might compel selectors to focus on young left-arm bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who has been amongst the wickets for both Khulna and South Zone recently.
A Test call-up for the 19-year-old, who has played just one Twenty20, is currently on the on the cards. However, with not a lot going the selectors' way, they might just be forced to count on the youngster.
In addition, leg-spinner Jubair Hossain, who had suffered a heel injury prior to the second Test against Pakistan, hasn't even been included in the line-up by any of the four domestic teams.
The batting line-up, on the contrary, isn't a matter of concern. Although Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim are nursing injuries, they aren't that serious. The only possible competition could be with regards to the number seven position where Soumya Sarkar made his debut in the last series. A good performance from Nasir Hossain might have earned him a call-up back into the Test side.
League leaders Prime Bank South Zone will take on Islami Bank East Zone at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong today and the winners will take the championship. At Mirpur, Walton Central Zone will take on BCB North Zone.
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