As Bangladesh cricket entered into its youth, it has turned itself into a competitive limited-overs side and a Test team, from a small boy who used to be pushed aside by the formidable opponents. However as there best set of players enter into the wrong side of the 30s, its time that the country starts developing a new set of match winners before the things start going down the hill
As Bangladesh celebrates their 20th Anniversary of becoming a Test nation, there are multiple questions which lie in front of the selectors and the fans of the country. The biggest concern which faces the country’s test side is whether the young generation can start taking over the mantle of driving the test side. This is the reason why once the phase once coronavirus pandemic is over will be very vital as the process to identify the next generation of cricketers for Bangladesh will also begin.
Shakib Al Hasan (32 Years), Mushfiqur Rahim (32 years), Tamim Iqbal (30 years), Mahmudullah Riyadh (33 years) are pillars of the Bangladesh Cricketers and along with ODI Captain Mashrafe Mortaza (36 years) can be termed as among the golden generation of Bangladesh Cricketers. These players have made Bangladesh Cricket proud of their achievements over the years,however, the point of concern has been the failures of the new players to establish themselves. Liton Das who is a prolific scorer in domestic cricket (5146 Runs at 48.54) have failed to replicate the success at International level ( 859 runs at 26.03 in Tests and 1079 runs at 32.69 in ODIs) on the other hand Shabbir Rehman touted as an exciting prospect have also let the team down by his temperament both inside and outside the ground. Mossadeq Hossain though is only 24 years old but is already 4 years into his international cricket. While it will be harsh to say that he has failed to full fill the promises but he has played 52 Internationals and has shown glimpses of his talent but never been able to replicate his stunning first-class record where he averages 57.35 in 39 matches.
Bangladesh has seen the number of these youngsters like Mohammad Mithun, Taskin Ahmed, Jubair Hossain who arrived like afresh breath of air but failed to blossom.
So how does Bangladesh plan the future, to avoid going on the troubled path, on which South Africa has stumbled upon at numerous times in the past 24 months? The answer lies in the fact to identify the players who can take them ahead in the coming years.
1. Shadman Islam -Age 24- Dhaka Metropolis
Test Career : 6 Tests - 275 Runs - 25.00 Average
First Class Records: 54 Matches - 3712 Runs - 45.26 Average
Shadman Islam, the 24-year-old opener who plays for Dhaka Metropolis in the domestic league has shown enough promise to give him a long run, his test though lies in the upcoming season, he needs to nail one of the opening spots.
2. Saif Hassan - Age 21- Dhaka Division
Test Career : 2 Tests - 24 Runs - 8.00 Average
First Class Records: 42 Matches -2362 Runs - 42.17 Average
A very talented 21-year-old Cricketer, Saif Hassan have been making runs in domestic league and the most special thing about him is that he is not only making them but making them big.He grinded the opposition down by 220* and this after a week when he had made a brilliant 117 against Sri Lanka A. Bangladesh can hope that he can forge a successful opening pair with Shadman or can hold up the no.3 position.
With Mominul Haq, Mossadek Hossain, Liton Das, and Soumya Sarkar, these can be the core player who can be part of Bangladesh’s batting along with seniors like Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah Riyad as Shaqib serves 12-month ban.
On the bowling front, Bangladesh needs quality seamers and good leg-spin option if they have to compete in all the conditions.
3. Sumon Khan - Age 20- Dhaka Division
First Class Record : 8 Matches - 25 Wickets - 26.88 Average
19-year-old Sumon Khan was one of the two pacers to be among the top 10 wicket-takers in domestic cricket in the previous season, which tells the story of pitches on offer in Domestic Cricket in Bangladesh which doesn’t help the cause of pacers at all. Still, Sumon has impressed everyone in his short career picking 25 wickets in just 8 matches at 26.88. His consistency is the key for him to succeed, which also can open the door of the national team.
4. Abu Jayed - Age: 26 -Sylhet Division
Test Career : 9 Tests - 24 Wickets - 32.45 Average
First Class Record : 86 Matches - 253 Wickets - 29.24 Average
Bangladesh needs to take special care of Abu Jayed, he is the best Bangladeshi pacer in Domestic Cricket this decade and record speaks for himself. 253 Wickets in 86 matches at 29.24, speaks volume about his consistency. His accuracy and bowling tight spell along with taking wickets to make him a good option to partner with Mustafizur.
Mustafizur Rehman, Abu Jayed, Sumon Khan, and Ebadot Hossain can form the crux of the fast bowling for the coming season where Bangladesh will require their quicks to mature, step up and help Bangladesh became a formidable unit.
Its time to reassess the future as a wise man rightly said “ Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forwards”
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