Rhodes eager to test depth
The silver lining in the dark cloud of Bangladesh missing out on the services of Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal for the Zimbabwe series starting on Sunday is that it will provide a glimpse into Bangladesh's future. While their absence through injury midway through last month's Asia Cup had blindsided the Tigers, this time the team management have had the opportunity to plan for how to succeed in their absence.
The team gave a good account of themselves in the UAE by reaching the Asia Cup final with the likes of Liton Das and Mohammad Mithun stepping up, so it is not all doom and gloom ahead of an assignment at home that is likely to be easier than the Asia Cup.
Yesterday during training at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, head coach Steve Rhodes was looking at the positive side and seemed excited by the chance to see the strength of the Tigers' bench.
"We know we are two good players light [but] it will be an opportunity for two others," Rhodes told reporters. "Zimbabwe have just come from South Africa and they were beaten. No team likes that and I expect a wounded animal. Our approach will be about making sure that we perform our duties well on the cricket field. If we do that well, we don't have to worry about our opposition.
"There are opportunities for some people. If those guys grasp their chance, that means [there is] depth in our squad and there will be competition for places. And if there is competition, people are always trying to play at their best, which is a very healthy thing. You look back at some of the great teams around the world and if they've got a second team that plays just as well, that means their first team is conquering the world. This is an opportunity to see if we can get that depth."
Ace all-rounder Shakib's absence opens up two slots -- one in the spin department and one in batting. Mehedi Hasan Miraz will have to step up as the lead spinner, and there are options in the supporting role as well.
"[Nazmul Islam] Apu is a quality spin bowler; he has shown that in the shortest format. We know that he can do that in the fifty-over format, so if Apu plays that's two quality spin bowlers," Rhodes said. "And [Mahmudullah] Riyad, he is a far better bowler than many think. In a team without Mehedi, he may well be the number one spinner. Fazle [Rabbi], if he plays, can bowl left-arm spin as well. I am confident we've got enough quality in our spin."
The options are a little more limited in the batting ranks but it may be the time for pace bowling all-rounders Ariful Haque -- who has been on the sidelines for long -- or Mohammad Saifuddin, for whom Rhodes seemed to have long-term plans.
"We've got him [Saifuddin] in the squad and think that he's a very good all-rounder. He has the ability to perform at the highest level," Rhodes said. "He's gone away and come back into the fold, so is a little more mature. [Captain] Mashrafe Bin Mortaza does a fantastic job for this country in the way he leads, the way he bowls, the way he throws himself around on the field. We all know he's had his injury issues. If Mash did pick up an injury, the type of player to replace him is somebody like Saifuddin. If he can get some cricket, then if something goes wrong -- hopefully not -- with Mash then at least somebody will have played some cricket in that position. And I am talking maybe even close to the World Cup.
"This is why these games and the West Indies games are so important. We will learn so much more about our team."