Uncapped duo hope to debut

If one were to go by Bangladesh's Test history, then there is a good chance for the uncapped players in the squad for the second Test -- Shuvashish Roy and Mosaddek Hossain -- to make their debut.

In the past five years, Bangladesh have fielded a debutant in every series that they have played. Excluding the England tour, 19 players have made their national team debut in the Tigers' past 12 series. Therefore, it was not a surprise to see both Shuvashish and Mosaddek with high hopes of playing the second Test.

Going by the strategy followed by Bangladesh in the first Test, Shuvashish seems to have a better chance of making his debut. He has replaced Shafiul Islam in the side and will be in the eleven if the hosts decide to go into the game with two pacers.

Shuvashish, who has been training with the national team since the Afghanistan series, said that he was extremely happy to have finally made the national squad.

"It feels really good. I have been working hard during training and I have also been doing well in domestic cricket. If I get a chance, I will definitely try to prove myself," Shuvashish told reporters at the team hotel yesterday.

However, Mosaddek's chances of making the squad seem less likely. The only way he can play the second Test is if Bangladesh decide to go in with just one pacer. That is a thought that the team management may not completely ignore if the pitch in Mirpur turns out to be exactly like that in Chittagong. In that case, Mosaddek may make the cut as his off-spinners can be quite handy.

Mosaddek though is primarily a batsman. He was Bangladesh's most consistent first-class batsman last season and has a batting average of 70 in first-class cricket. He also has three double centuries to his name.

"When I had finished playing the National Cricket League last year, I actually thought I would start my international career with Test cricket. But I debuted in T20 cricket and then went to ODIs. I am finally in the Test squad right now and it will be great if I get a chance," Mosaddek told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

Meanwhile, team manager and former national cricketer Khaled Mahmud exuded confidence in his players upon the team's return to Dhaka yesterday afternoon. He also indicated that the pitch in Mirpur may not be similar to the one at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.

"The wickets in Mirpur are always different. But we will definitely look to take advantage," said Mahmud.