Selectors keen on final BCL games

Faruque Ahmed

Chief selector Faruque Ahmed hoped that Bangladesh Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim would be fully fit before the lone India Test, which will take place at Fatullah from June 10.

"Mushfiqur has been given one week's rest, after which his injured finger will be re-examined. I think we have enough time before the Test and we are hopeful that he will be okay by then," said Faruque while he was talking to reporters ahead of the final four-day match of the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) yesterday.

The former Bangladesh skipper was not fully satisfied with the scenario before the BCL game, which was delayed to make sure that the national players get an opportunity to practice the longer-version ahead of the Test.

"The team management had plans to give the national players an opportunity and it would have been good had all the national players played the four-dayer. Unfortunately a number of players will miss the match due to injuries. But still, preparation wise, I believe this match will help most of the players ahead of the Test," said Faruque.

Pace bowling is the most vulnerable part of the team and that's the reason the chief selector was also looking towards pacers who are not in the preliminary squad.

"Yes, we are facing some sort of problem with the pacers. It would have been good for us had Rubel [Hossain] and Shafiul played the BCL match. We hope Rubel will be okay before the Test match. Anyway we think the pace bowling spots are wide open, so anybody can take the opportunity," said Faruque.

"True, we don't make the team based on one match's performance, but a good performance can always influence the thinking of the team management," he added.