‘Shafiul’s experience a good option’
The question of when pacer Shafiul Islam last played an ODI away from home would be a difficult one for Bangladesh cricket fans to answer. The lean fast bowler himself was not sure about the answer when he was asked this question by this reporter in New Zealand earlier this year.
Shafiul played his last ODI away from home back in May 2013 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo and the last time he played an ODI was back in 2016 against England, another trivia that the lean pacer could not remember.
Shafiul did not play a game during that New Zealand tour and four months later, the 29-year-old was once again included as the 15th member of the Tigers squad for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.
The question that now arises is whether one more tour will go by where Shafiul will only fulfil the function of a net bowler. A further point of contention surrounds Shafiul being picked ahead of Abu Jayed, who was dropped from the squad after the World Cup despite not getting a game in the mega event.
Things, however, may change this time as according to sources close to the team management, there was not much confidence in pacer Taskin Ahmed after his performance in the practice match on Tuesday.
Taskin was wayward in line and length during the game and conceded 57 from his eight overs while taking a solitary wicket. He also dropped a rather easy catch at the boundary, which made things even worse for the 24-year-old.
According to acting coach Khaled Mahmud, Shafiul's experience will help the team in the bowling department, especially in the death overs, which is an area of concern.
"We had a place left in the squad so thought of including a fast bowler. I feel the wicket and conditions here will help Shafiul do well, given his experience. We are honestly concerned with our death bowling, so Shafiul will be a good inclusion as he does well in the death overs in the BPL [Bangladesh Premier League]. If he is fit, we will have a good option in him.
"I am not worried at all with the batting department. The boys have been doing well since the world cup. But with bowling there is a bit of a concern; we don't have experienced bowlers like Shakib and Mashrafe. Those we have are capable but it is good to have an extra fast bowler in the squad," Mahmud told reporters yesterday.
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