Hunt for the pace attack

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza is certainly enjoying his second stint as Tigers captain. Photo: Star

The exclusion of pacer Al-Amin Hossain from the third ODI against Zimbabwe did not create much of a stir in the cricketing fraternity. Maybe it was because of the way he has bowled in the series so far. He gave away 65 runs in 10 overs and picked a wicket in the two ODIs; the least effective figures amongst his teammates.
While at the face of it, it may seem as though the move was an obvious one, a glance at Al-Amin's record this year however would make many question the move. The 24-year-old made his debut in February this year and gradually made himself a permanent member on the side.
With 17 wickets in 11 ODIs he is still Bangladesh's highest wicket-taker in 2014; two more than Shakib Al Hasan and one more than Mashrafe Bin Mortaza. Whether his form has been affected by the ICC's decision to inspect his action -- a suspicion that he was eventually cleared of -- or if it was due to the gap he had taken from international cricket after the first Test against Zimbabwe is still not certain, but either way, the fact that the selectors were compelled to drop Al-Amin should be a concern.
His exclusion has come at a time when the team management is focusing on building the appropriate pace attack for next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where the quick bowlers are likely to get more assistance. As bowling coach Heath Streak had said earlier, the series against Zimbabwe would be the last opportunity for him to test his pace attack.
Al-Amin's replacement, Shafiul Islam, has been brought in after a good performance in the third Test match in Chittagong, where he picked up four wickets. He also bowled well in the practice match against the Zimbabwean XI, finishing with figures of 2 for 24 after nine overs. Shafiul, who has played just two ODIs this year, is getting another opportunity ahead of the major event next year.
The other bowler that the management is likely to wait on is Taskin Ahmed, who is currently recovering from an injury. With the changes being churned, the management seems like they are trying everything possible to suffice their hunt for the best possible pace attack.