Different shades of experience

With just a few days to go before the selectors name the squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan, there are few areas of concern for Bangladesh, namely the pace department and a suitable replacement for star opener Tamim Iqbal.

There was a question of whether the selectors will opt for fresh faces or look to seasoned campaigners, but the selectors hinted yesterday that they may bank on experience.

In the absence of Tamim, who asked for a break from this series, the selectors are thinking of including an experienced player like Imrul Kayes to partner Shadman Islam so as not to put extra pressure on the rookie opener, who made a promising debut in Tests in December last year.

"As you know he [Shadman] has been with the team for the past few series and did a decent job. But he is still young and not that experienced. When Tamim was in the line-up there was less pressure on him. So, we are wondering whether or not a fresh face as his partner would put extra pressure on Shadman.

"But if we pick someone older so we will have a young player and an experienced player at the middle. We are thinking about these issues, which is the reason we are waiting to announce the squad," selector Habibul Bashar told reporters yesterday.

This reflects the selectors' insecurity and lack of confidence in the pipeline. Imrul is experienced as he has been playing for 10 years, but he has also played just 37 Tests in that period, which indicates that there is not much confidence in Imrul being a long-term option.

Imrul played his last Test against West Indies last year and was dropped following a prolonged lean patch with the left-hander not reaching fifty in his last 22 innings. The 32-year-old was also unable to score significantly for Bangladesh A during the home series against Afghanistan A last month.

In that light, it has to be asked what experience means for the selectors. Is it just a player who has spent a significant time since making his international debut or is it the consistency and maturity that makes a cricketer dependable that makes an experienced cricketer?

Talking of gaining experience, Liton Das is a genuine opening batsman who made his Test debut four years back, but the dashing right-hander has so far played 15 Tests batting in various batting positions -- ranging from opener to number eight.

Interestingly, Liton opened the inning in just nine of his 26 Tests so far and the selectors could try the right-hander as opener against Afghanistan and provide some freedom to play his own game.

The scenario is pretty similar in the fast bowling department as there are also a few 'experienced' players in the likes of Shafiul Islam and Rubel Hossain, who has been playing international cricket for over nine years now.

Shafiul made his Test debut back in 2010 and has played 11 Tests. His last Test was two years ago, against South Africa, and he is among the top contenders to make it to the Test squad.

"It is not about providing places in the team as every team wants to win, whether it's a big or small team. No team goes to the middle thinking that that they are providing opportunities to players or looking to prepare a player; at the end of the day they go out to win the game. So, if including a newcomer or giving an opportunity to an experienced player fills that need, they will play," Bangladesh Test captain Shakib Al Hasan said when asked whether the team management would look to provide an opportunity for newcomers.