Delay likely for Mustafiz unveiling

The sun appeared with all its grace on Tuesday morning much to the relief of the Bangladesh team, which was not certain of getting the opportunity for their only outdoor training session due to heavy overnight rain before their opening ICC World T20 qualifier against the Netherlands today.

With the Dhaladhar (white peak) mountain range in the background, the Tigers had their much needed practice, albeit without young pacer Mustafizur Rahman.

While the rest sweat it out either with bat and ball in a two-and-a-half hours session, the left-arm pace bowler was involved in different fitness drills under team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan. After briefly standing at the bowling mark, he was seen doing all the stretching exercises to heal the side strain a week ago.

The 20-year-old actually did not bowl a single ball in the nets where Taskin Ahmed, Al-Amin Hossain and Abu Haider Rony ran in with the white cherry at full force. Although the team management left the issue of Mustafizur's participation against Holland in the hands of the technical staff, it was understood that his debut for the ICC flagship event would be delayed.

All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who spent a good amount of time batting in the nets, got a painful blow on his right hand while facing a young Indian fast bowler. However, the left-hander, who has been going through a torrid time both with the bat and ball and had a forgettable performance in the Asia Cup final against India , returned quickly in the nets. Mushfiqur Rahim as usual batted extra time with Ruwan Kalpage performing the bowler's role. Mushfiqur played some brilliant shots (no slog-sweep) against the Bangladesh pace trio, most of them either though the covers or straight overs the bowler's head. He was middling the ball so nicely that it was quite inexplicable why of late he is not clicking during a match. The right-hander also played some pull shots, which could be handy on a wicket like Dharamsala's.

And if you take the words of the ground's curator for granted, Bangladesh might be tempted to field four pacers, considering the nice carry and bounce on the pitch. And if the sun shines like the way it did yesterday, there would be less swing during Bangladesh's opening game against Holland. In that event the Tigers may not play four pacers with left-armer Abu Haider possibly giving way to left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny. However, if the sky is gloomy then the wicket is likely to help the pacers.

At the moment it looks like Bangladesh will field the same side that played India in the Asia Cup final. There might be a riddle regarding Nasir Hossain's chance. But if you consider the enthusiasm from Mashrafe while Nasir was batting in the nets, it might be a reality.

“Nasir, hit the ball hard. This is my bat”, Mashrafe was shouting while wily all-rounder was facing either Taskin or Al-Amin Hossain.