Mustafizur, Rubel return for Sri Lanka Tests

Mustafizur was not risked by the team management in Bangladesh’s recent tour of India. However, opening batsman Imrul Kayes missed out on a place due to lack of match fitness. He had also missed the solitary India Test after injuring his left thigh during the two-day warm-up match against India A. Mustafizur’s inclusion means there are five pace bowlers in the squad and considering the sub-continental wickets in Sri Lanka, the number of pacers included came in as a little surprise. But chief national selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu defended the decision, informing that the nature of the Galle wicket and humidity on offer proved to be decisive factors behind the decision. “In the last Test match in Galle, New Zealand pacer Tim Southee took eight wickets. Galle wicket might be green. If Sri Lanka decide to prepare a sporting track then we might have to play with three pacers. We have to consider that option,” Minhajul told a press conference in Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. “Sri Lanka’s weather is a bit different from Bangladesh. We have to play a two-day practice match there. Last time around, we had a bad experience with (seamer) Robiul Islam. He was injured in the very first day of a Test match. And our pacers lack the ability to bowl long spells. That’s why we have decided to pick five pacers,” he said. Meanwhile, paceman Shafiul Islam has been dropped from the squad and in came fellow seamer Rubel Hossain. The national selection panel is of the opinion that Shafiul is not fit enough and that Rubel is in good rhythm. “Shafiul felt some discomfort after playing the practice match prior to the Hyderabad Test. We have reports that there might be a problem with his hernia. His fitness level is not satisfactory at the moment,” said Minhajul before adding, “In contrast, Rubel is bowling in good pace and rhythm in the BCL (Bangladesh Cricket League) recently. He has bowled well, particularly in the previous round. So I think he has the confidence and fitness to play Test cricket right now.” [caption id="attachment_48197" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Chief national selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu addresses the media in Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday DHAKA TRIBUNE/MD MANIK[/caption] There were some questions regarding Mushfiqur Rahim’s wicket-keeping as sometimes it seems that he is taking too much pressure upon himself by performing three roles - keeping, batting and captaining. The chief national selector however, assured that there are no concerns with regards to Mushfiq’s keeping at the moment. “We had no discussions regarding Mushfiq’s keeping. We always keep a stand-by keeper whenever we go to a tour. I think Mushfiq has no problems at the moment with these three roles. So we don’t want to take any step until he requests us to reduce one role,” said Minhajul. Bangladesh are scheduled to leave Dhaka for Sri Lanka this Monday for two Tests, three ODIs and two T20Is. The Tigers will play a two-day practice match at Tyronne Fernando Stadium in Moratuwa, starting March 2, before taking on the Lankans in the first Test at Galle International Stadium, beginning March 7. The second and final Test gets underway at P Sara Oval in Colombo on March 15.

Squad

Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, Mahmudullah, Shakib al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Liton Das, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Mosaddek Hossain, Subashish Roy and Rubel Hossain