Self-belief in the air

Bangladesh make a return to the ODI format today having last played a 50-over game in July last year and although half a year has passed since the last ODI, Bangladesh looked quietly confident heading into the series during their practice session at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium yesterday.

While there were a handful of changes to the squad, the key components mostly remain the same. So the think-tank's major area of focus in terms of team composition tomorrow will be whether Mahmudul Hasan Joy or Yasir Ali come into the side.

"This is undoubtedly one of our favourite formats. So, it's about doing well. If you look at it, we have a few ODIs this year, which was not the case last year, maybe due to the T20 World Cup. We're excited and looking forward to tomorrow so that we can start well," ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal said following yesterday's practice.

Bangladesh find themselves in a stable position with 80 points in the ICC ODI Super League after four series. Two wins in the Afghan ODIs can solidify their position, important given the next three ODI assignments after the Afghan series will be away. There is the onus on results but there is also room for growth in a stable unit.

Shakib Al Hasan's position in the batting order at number three is not up for doubt. Mushfiqur Rahim will provide stability at number four while Mahmudullah Riyad will continue at six.

This leaves Joy and Yasir, both of whom have done well in their first hurdles, competing for the number five spot. The latter has already been around the national team set-up for two years while Joy showed heart in the New Zealand Test as an opener before doing well in the recently-concluded BPL. But if he gets an opportunity here, it will be at number five.

Yasir has gone from strength to strength since making his debut in the Pakistan Test series. Combined with a gritty knock in Christchurch and some powerful strokeplay in the BPL, it earned a call up for the Afghanistan series.

Tamim reiterated that both were being considered for at number five because of their proficiency against spin. "If either of them plays, it will be at number five," the skipper reminded.

Both batters batted at the nets yesterday, with Yasir looking slightly more confident with his power shots. With Afghanistan's strength in the spin department, it will be an important choice for the team management.

"We're trying to work out who is doing well in domestic games and give them chances. If you look at this team, you will get that feeling," Tamim said.

The scenes around the camp remained vibrant with a stable core amidst youthful vigour. Shakib shared a laugh with Afif Hossain, reckoning the batter to be out, but the latter had a different opinion. Head coach Russell Domingo was active, getting in some throwdowns himself at practice while Jamie Siddons took part in his first practice session. Before the first ODI, things appear breezy and the Tigers will be hoping for a good start.