Left-right combo among talking points

By the time Tamim Iqbal and Nazmul Hossain Shanto were facing off-spinners Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Nayeem Hasan at the center wicket of the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, the likes of Shadman Islam, Saif Hasan and Yasir Ali had already been dismissed at the MA Aziz Stadium on the second day of a three-day warm-up game against the West Indies.

The BCB XI were bundled out for just 160 runs in their first innings in reply to the 257 from the West Indies. Shadman (22), Saif (15), and uncapped Yasir (1), who were included in the Bangladesh Test squad for the two-match series, failed to capitalise on the opportunity.

It was the big man, off-spinner Rahkeen Conwall, who undid the BCB XI with his turn and bagged five wickets. the Tigers team management will surely keep a close eye on this cricketer ahead of the first Test, starting from February 3.

Selectors yesterday announced an 18-member Bangladesh Test squad, with wicketkeeper-batsman Nurul Hasan and pacer Khaled Ahmed dropped from the 20-member preliminary squad.

Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan returned to the Test side as expected after completing a one-year ban from the ICC for failing to report corrupt approaches from a bookie. The left-hander also attended a training session for the first time since suffering a groin injury during the third ODI.

Shadman also staged a comeback to the side after a wrist injury forced the left-hander to miss the tour of Pakistan and the lone Test against Zimbabwe last year. The selectors included five left-handed top-order batsman in the form of skipper Mominul Haque, Tamim, Shakib, Shadman, and Nazmul, with at least four expected to feature in the playing eleven for the first Test.Tigers head coach Russell Domingo will be aware that he has quite a lot of southpaws in the side who will be vulnerable against Cornwall's off-spin, especially now that he has proven that he can be a big threat.

It will be interesting to see the strategy from the Tigers think-tank and how they would handle the left-right combination in the batting department.

Right-handed opener Saif, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das and Yasir could play a huge role in forming the perfect variety in the batting order.

"Obviously the inclusion of Shakib bhai always helps us in both the batting and bowling departments and all the players are hungry to give their best," Liton told the media yesterday.

Meanwhile, it was a refreshing sight to see the selectors included five seamers in the line-up. Young Hasan Mahmud has a bright chance to make his Test debut following an impressive ODI debut in the three-match series against the West Indies.Abu Jayed and Ebadot Hossain are the two regular pacers in the Test side and they will face stiff competition from left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed and Mahmud for a place in the playing eleven.

The hosts are also loaded with four spinners with Shakib and fellow left-arm spinner Taijul Islam expected to play the lead role while one of two off-spinners like Nayeem Hasan and Mehedi Hasan in line as the third spinner.

The pitch at the ZACS will remain the talking point in the Test series and only time will tell what strategy the Tigers team management opt for against the West Indies.