Test of pace

Heath Streak

Bangladesh's pacers may have put in a vastly improved performance in the ODIs in the past one-and-a-half years, but the scenario in Tests remains different. The absence of Taskin Ahmed and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza changes the dynamic in a big way.

The problem for the selectors in this case is the lack of options. They have been dillydallying with Rubel Hossain, Robiul Islam and Shahadat Hossain for the last three to four years and save for a brief spell from Al-Amin Hossain, it has been the same pacers who have been doing the rounds. And one of the main reasons behind that is the problem with fitness.

That is the reason why the likes of Robiul Islam and Shafiul Islam have been frequently overlooked.

This time around the selectors have banked on a fresh face, Mohammad Shohid. The pacer, who is quite well known in the domestic circuit, and was even spotted as a 'hopeful' during the Shane Jurgensen-era.

His ability to bowl long spells is one of the key reasons behind his selection. He bowled 178 overs in 13 innings in the National Cricket League last year, more than most of the other pacers and scalped 18 wickets. While Shohid's inclusion has definitely churned the excitement -- as the inclusion of a newbie so often does -- the fact remains that the wickets outside Dhaka have traditionally remained on the slower side. And the Tigers, will depend more on their army of spinners.

Leg-spinner Jubair Hossain and slow left-armer Shakib Al Hasan will have to do most of the bowling with Rubel, who was rested for the T20I, expected to be most threatening amongst the pacers.

Despite their comparatively poor record in Test cricket, pace bowling coach Heath Streak believed that his pacers will be able to carry the momentum from the ODI series into the Tests.

"For me it has been the good work ethic displayed by the boys, not just by the pacers, but everyone, which has made all the difference. The guys bought into the ethos we brought to the team and played positive cricket.

"It also goes down to good captaincy. Mashrafe has been fantastic and really positive," Streak told reporters yesterday.

He reserved special praise for 19-year-old Mustafizur Rahman, who dazzled the experienced Pakistani batsmen during the T20I.

"I was really excited to see Mustafizur performing for the first time. He is a good prospect for the future… there are plenty more youngsters in the lot… Shubasish Roy, Abul Hasan… but we need to keep supporting them so that we can have more competition in Test cricket," said Streak.