Multiple pace units share same hunger
Abu Jayed, arguably the most successful and consistent seamer in the Bangladesh Test side in recent times, was seen bowling in the nets at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
The Tigers are scheduled to play a three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe in the northeastern city starting from tomorrow but hometown boy Jayed, who scalped four wickets in the lone Test against Zimbabwe recently, is not part of the ODI set-up and will enjoy a well-deserved break.
Things have started to change in tune with the Tigers' thought process of developing a good cricketing culture and perhaps the BCB is heading in that direction by preparing separate fast bowling units across formats.
The ODI side has a totally different fast-bowling attack to the one in Tests, with the shorter-format featuring the likes of Al Amin Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shafiul Islam, seam-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin and skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.
There was a time when selectors would tend to include players who had performed well in a different format, often seemingly misusing players by giving them unfamiliar roles in the shorter formats.
But now, even Mustafizur -- who had emerged as a sensation at the beginning of his career -- had to wait for his opportunity. Recognising that he needed to develop his skills for Test cricket, the 24-year-old was left out of the playing eleven in the Test against Zimbabwe, which sent a particular message to all the pacers in the side.
Although the left-armer is one of the successful bowlers in the shorter formats, Mustafizur still had to prove his worth and perform to cement a place in the shorter-format teams, something that helped promote healthy competition among fast bowlers.
Head coach Russell Domingo had previously stated that he really missed the variety that Saifuddin brought to the bowling attack. Although he is now fit, Saifuddin -- whose last ODI was against Pakistan in the World Cup last year -- will have to prove his worth again after returning to the national team for the first time since injuring his back.
"So far, I have played 33 international games and I can say I got some success. I will be making a comeback after five months [since playing a T20I against Afghanistan in September last year] and I feel everything anew now. As long as you keep performing, you will be in the team. Otherwise, you lose your place. If I get an opportunity on Sunday, I will have to start afresh, whether batting or bowling," Saifuddin told reporters in Sylhet yesterday.
There are other pacers such as Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain in the Test squad alongside Khaled Ahmed, who was also seen bowling in the nets yesterday. These players are all trying to improve their skills and the hunger to perform and deliver for the team has started to develop in the Tigers' pace-bowling camp.
It is important that the team management provide assurances and bolster the confidence of this bunch of fast bowlers if the Tigers are to find success in the coming days.
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