Bangladesh likely to pick four bowlers for Johannesburg Test
Skipper Najmul Shanto has expressed a desire to pick three pacers and a lone spinner for the opening Test
Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain hinted on Saturday (November 14) that they will go with four bowlers in the opening Test against South Africa at Johannesburg to accommodate two regular openers and Towhid Hridoy in the playing XI.
Given Towhid Hridoy scored an unbeaten 242 against West Indies in Sylhet, Bangladesh's batting combination was brought to question ahead of the opening Test in South Africa. Bangladesh lost opener Shadman Islam due to an ankle injury and opted to include Mohammad Naim and uncapped Mahfijul to partner another opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim.
However, whether the tourists opt to pick the two openers from the trio or promote skipper Najmul Hossain at the top turned out to be a topic of discussion. Had they picked both the openers, then either Mominul Haque or Mushfiqur Rahim will have to be dropped to accommodate the in-form Hridoy. It's worth noting that Hridoy was picked in the opening Test against West Indies as Mushfiqur was unavailable while in the second Test he replaced Mominul as he was rested after being hit on the head during the opening Test. Towhid seized the opportunity to cement his place in the playing XI.
Najmul has opened in Test matches in the past including his last innings. However, the skipper insisted they are well aware whom they want to see as openers from Naim and Mahfijul.
"It is not a fact that Robin (Mahfijul) just came into the team because he is a right-hander, it's not like that. It was part of a plan and the way he has performed in first-class cricket I think he deserves to be in this team,” said Najmul.
“Alongside Naeem Sheikh has been doing well in first-class for the last few years and so both of them are in good form. Still, I don't want to talk about places but I think both of them are in a very good touch and we know who to play but let's keep it to us."
The practice sessions in South Africa suggest that Taijul Islam, who has struggled recently, is likely to be benched. Hridoy was under the scanner in the nets for the amount of bowling he did in the nets. Earlier, Cricbuzz reported that Mominul Haque is honing his bowling skill as per request of Najmul and he was also seen bowling at length in the nets suggesting the duo is expected to fill the fifth bowler's role as part timers.
“I think I can say that there must be three pacers. There should also be a spinner because you will see that spinners are also contributing well, especially in Australia, the way they have bowled, especially Miraz. So I think we can go with this combination,” said Najmul.
“Even then, since there is still one more day, I will come in the morning and see the wicket again and decide. I have been giving Mominul bhai the message for the last few years that he should bowl in the nets regularly and that is what he is doing. These two venues are a little different from the conditions we played in before and so I think we will go with a slightly different bowling attack.
“Along with that, bowling is important because those of us who bat, especially in our team, you say Tests, ODIs, we don't bowl much and so we as a team have started this thing that we batsmen should also bowl in the nets. So this is the plan and if it works in the match why not,” he said.
Najmul added that they are mentally at a good place despite their disappointing performance in the recent past that saw them being thrown out of the WTC final race after being humbled by West Indies at home during the two-match Test series.
“Mentally everyone is in a good position. Yes, it is true that our last two or three matches have not gone well, but without thinking too much about that, it is important to think about how we can do better in the future,” said Najmul,.
“We made mistakes in some places and could have done a little better in some places. There were discussions about all these things though the condition is different. So in these conditions, how we, the batsmen and the bowlers, can do well is important. So mentally everyone is in a good position and I think that if we can play our best game here and execute the plan then we will be able to play a good game here. I have a lot of faith. In fact, without faith, nothing is possible. So the whole team believes that we can play good cricket here,” he said.
Najmul added that the batting unit needs to take the responsibility while pointing out that they are taking inspiration from their ODI series win against South Africa at their own backyard.
“In such conditions, it is very important for the entire batting unit to perform. It is especially important for those who are set to play long innings on the wicket. Be it Tamim or anyone else. So I think the batting is definitely challenging here. So if we can put up a big total here, especially in the first innings, then the bowling attack that we have will be able to compete very well.
“I haven't had a chance to see the conditions but I think the pace bowlers will definitely get some help here. So that's what I'm hoping for. Besides, the spinners we have are experienced bowling in these conditions. So I think the pace bowlers will have a little more responsibility and if the spinners can provide that support, we will be able to give a good match. We came to South Africa and won the ODI series, it will give us confidence. We have evidence in front of us that it is possible to play well here too and win matches. So of course it will give us confidence, but at the end of the day, we have to play our best game and execute the plans that we have made,” he concluded.
