If Bangladesh need inspiration before they play the Kiwis, they need look no further than Sri Lanka’s 2-0 series win against South Africa.
The Lankans had just been thrashed 2-0 by Australia, their best batsman, Angelo Mathews, and quick, Lahiru Kumara, were injured, while captain Dinesh Chandimal was dropped.
Then, coach Chandika Hathurusingha was removed as a selector.
But they didn’t let any of those distractions get in their way as they shocked world cricket and themselves to a series win on South African soil – the first Asian Test cricketing nation to do so.
Bangladesh had injury woes before a ball had even been bowled. Pace bowler Taskin Ahmed had been ruled out of the tour completely, while Shakib Al Hasan may be available for the second and third Tests. Mohammad Mithun is out of the first Test and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim is in doubt.
But this gives a golden opportunity to players like Soumya Sarkar and Liton Das to resurrect their international careers, while opener Shadman Islam has a chance to test himself.
All batsmen, bar Mominul Haque, got decent scores in the practice match, giving them confidence leading into the first Test, in Hamilton come Thursday.
While the onus will be on Tamim Iqbal to deliver, I’m excited to see how fellow opener Shadman Islam goes. In an era where flashy shots bring in crowds, Islam is the complete opposite. His ability to play comfortably on the front and back foot while knowing when to leave the ball is impressive.
For once on an overseas tour, the selectors have picked the right seamers. Abu Jayed is a proper swing bowler who’ll enjoy the wind in Hamilton rather than the dead tracks in Sylhet. Khaled Ahmed is really aggressive and won’t be afraid to bounce from the first ball.
Mustafizur Rahman, despite all his white-ball match-winning performances, has been underused in Tests. Ebadat Hossain hadn’t even been in the Test squad until Taskin Ahmed injured his ankle in the Bangladesh Premier League, but is probably the fastest bowler Bangladesh has produced.
I’ve lived in Sydney my whole life, but always supported Bangladesh first due to my roots. So nothing would give me more satisfaction than seeing Bangladesh win a Test overseas.
I’m not saying that we will win a match, let alone the series, I just want to see the boys put up a fight and push New Zealand. Drawing one would be an improvement for a side that hasn’t played enough Tests to improve themselves in 19 years.
My XI for the first Test
Shadman Islam, Tamim Iqbal, Mominul Haque, Liton Das (wk), Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehedi Hasan, Ebadat Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
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