‘Mustafizur is not ready to play Tests’

Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo said that Mustafizur Rahman will not be playing the lone Test against Zimbabwe, starting from tomorrow, even as the left-arm pacer was named in the squad for the Test.

Domingo informed that Mustafizur is the only one who is well and truly out of the running for a spot in tomorrow's match but cited that the team has a plan for him, which is why he will be continuing to remain with the Test team throughout the Test match.

"Mustafiz is not playing this Test match. The next five days he is going to be bowling every day, trying to make sure he gets his shape that is required because that could help him in Test cricket and white ball cricket. At the moment I can't see him playing Test match cricket and I have told him that. Until he improves technically and gets the ball to swing and get it to come back in to the right hander," Domingo said during a press conference at Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Mustafizur's form in the longest format has been inconsistent and Domingo said that the pacer is not 'ready to play Tests'. The ability to bring the ball back in to the right-handed batsman is key for a left-arm pacer and Domingo said Fizz would be working with new bowling coach Otis Gibson to work on specific obejectives.

"I don't think Mustafiz is ready to play the Test matches until he does some technical work which allows him to bring the ball back in to the right-handed batsman. Getting him back in to the squad is the start of that process so that he can work with our new bowling coach. He was put back in to the squad, but not to play in my opinion but to train, get some shape back and get a connection with Otis, develop a bit of trust, a bit of relationship and he will stay with the team," he concluded.