BCB’s controversial choices

Bangladesh Cricket Board made the headlines for the wrong reasons with some objectionable decisions on their part for the sole Test match against India at Fatullah.

Indian openers remained unbeaten on the rain-curtailed first day, Shikhar Dhawan on 150 and Murali Vijay on 89 with the scoreboard showing 239/0 after 56 overs.

Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay dictate terms to the Bangladesh bowlers early in the first session of the Test match at Fatullah. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

If playing during the monsoon season wasn't disagreeable after all, the team selection left many fans and journalists scratching their heads looking for a possible rationale.

In a rare move, the Tigers decided to field just one medium-fast bowler and four spinners in the side to take 20 Indian wickets at Fatullah.

Mohammad Shahid playing his third Test is the sole pacer of the spin-dependent bowling attack. His new ball partner is Soumya Sarkar, a part-time bowler at best also playing his third Test match of his career.

Interesting, Rubel Hossain was included in the Test squad but was seen carrying food and water to his teammates during the first day of the Test match.

It was a pity to see Rubel taking food to others, instead of taking the red ball and challenging the Indians yesterday. Photo: STAR

During the press conference after end of day's play, Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha explained why Rubel didn't make the cut for this match.

"Rubel's thing is that he is coming after an injury. He was not a hundred per cent. The other reason is the wicket," he said.

"We thought that if Rubel plays, he has to bowl a lot on this flat wicket and then there would be a chance for a recurrence of his injury because he didn't get to play the practice matches either," Hathurusingha clarified.

"We picked the team we thought was good for the wicket and according to our strength. I think we created chances, but a number of things didn't go our way. Had we taken those opportunities, it would have been a different story," he added.

However, chances for a breakthrough were few and far between for Bangladesh on a day when Indian openers took them to school.

Shuvagata Hom dropped a fairly regulation catch off Dhawan at short midwicket when the left-hander was on 73 and a few close shouts against Vijay was turned down.

But apart from those incidents the two Indian openers had almost nothing to worry against a predictable Bangladesh bowling attack on a placid track.

The bowling attack chosen by BCB to face India has already backfired after the first day.

BCB's decision to make a batting-friendly pitch for the strong Indian batting line-up is mind boggling to say the least.

No wonder many believe Bangladesh Cricket Board had a brain-freeze while making crucial decisions for the sole Test match against India.