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Regular-article-logo Friday, 26 April 2024

Changes likely in Bangla XI

Bangladesh are missing some of their senior players in this series

Sayak Banerjee Indore Published 18.11.19, 08:26 PM
Mominul Haque in Indore on Monday.

Mominul Haque in Indore on Monday. (AP)

The thrashing Bangladesh got in the first Test here makes their task tougher, going into the historic Day-Night pink-ball game at the Eden.

However, after the game here got over in just three days, the visitors have been trying their best to adapt to the pink ball with all the regular player training under lights at the Holkar Stadium.

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To get a feel of the dew factor at the Eden, they practised with wet balls. “By bowling with a wet ball, we can assess the advantages and disadvantages of it,” off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz said later.

Their decision to bat first on the pace-friendly wicket here was termed “bold and brave”, but going in with only two specialist pacers was certainly baffling. It has been learnt that the team management is looking to make a few tweaks in the XI, especially in the fast bowling department, expecting similar conditions at the Eden.

Mustafizur Rahman, again, bowled for quite some time at nets on Monday, along with Al Amin Hossain. According to sources, both Mustafizur and Al Amin have a fair chance of making a comeback to the playing XI.

If that happens, the duo and Abu Jayed Rahi – who bowled a decent line and length at times in the first Test – will form Bangladesh’s three-pronged pace attack on a pitch expected to suit the quicks.

Playing three pacers means one of the spinners — Mehidy Hasan Miraz or Taijul Islam — will have to sit out. “Since Mehidy is a better batsman of the two, the axe may fall on Taijul,” someone in the know of things said.

Young Saif Hassan, yet to make his international debut, could also be considered. “In that case, (Mohammad) Mithun could be dropped,” the source said.

With greater seam, swing and bounce expected of the pink ball, one can only imagine what could be in store for Bangladesh against India’s pace trio of Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav. The visitors, though, are trying to put up a brave face, dismissing any kind of tension the Day-Night Test could bring along with it.

“For us, playing a Test match with the pink ball is a new experience. Kono tension nai (There’s no tension)… Everyone is excited about the opportunity to play a Day-Night Test with the pink ball,” Miraz said after the practice session.

Bangladesh are missing some of their senior players in this series, but Miraz doesn’t want to cite that as an excuse.

“I’ve been playing international cricket for three years, so I can’t be calling myself a junior player,” he said.

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