Shakib’s return opens door for five bowlers

Bangladesh are gearing up for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, well aware of the challenges they faced in South Africa against the home side's spinners. Batting will be an area of concern, but in terms of bowling the Tigers have showed promise in the recently-concluded series despite injuries to Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam. However, the workload taken on by the pacers has already grabbed attention and, in a five-day Test, the necessity of playing five specialist bowlers cannot be argued against.

Despite the evidence, reality does not always meet theory head on. In that regard, Shakib Al Hasan's return to the side will hold the key to a better team combination against Sri Lanka.

The all-rounder skipped the Test series in South Africa to attend to his close family members, who had taken ill, but is due in the country today. He also expressed his wish to play in the ongoing Dhaka Premier League. Although his side, Mohammedan, failed to make the Super League stage, Shakib was willing to join another team in order to get back into the grind ahead of the Sri Lanka assignment. Mohammedan have obliged.

Mohammedan director AGM Sabbir yesterday informed the media that Shakib has already contacted Mashrafe Bin Mortaza-led Legends of Rupganj.

"Shakib is very much focused at the moment as far as I can see. When Rupganj approached him, he told us that he wants to play four matches to get into his flow. He wanted to prepare for the Sri Lanka series and, as part of preparations, wants to play the Super League," Sabbir told media yesterday.

Shakib's availability will ultimately rest with the BCB but the Tigers will find heart from his arrival. Selector Habibul Bashar spoke about the balance in the squad and also Shakib's arrival during a talk with The Daily Star.

Asked whether the team was comfortable with the idea of picking five bowlers, especially with Mehedi Hasan Miraz showing his calibre with the bat in ODI format, Bashar said: "Look, the thing is that Miraz's batting has been a relief for us. But in the Test arena, you need your top-order to score the runs. You cannot just rely on the lower-order."

"The concept of picking five bowlers looks good in theory, but without Shakib it's not really viable. Shakib is coming back so his return will bolster the side for the upcoming series. With his return, it would be viable to pick five bowlers as that would give our batting that extra depth," he said.

Bangladesh have played all four Tests this year away from home, drawing a series 1-1 in New Zealand before the 2-0 loss in South Africa.

But their record at home has not been good viewing recently. The Tigers won only one of their last five Tests at home, losing four on the trot. They struggled against West Indies and Pakistan in the last two series at home.

"Playing at home adds extra pressure. There are concerns about the batting but I feel that one shouldn't be so worried. This is still a team in transformation. We're looking at players from outside and we have also given chances in the national side. [Mahmudul Hasan] Joy struck a century in South Africa and [Nazmul Hossain] Shanto has shown promise. We still need time to sort the team out," Bashar concluded.