Bangladesh await Tanzid, Mushfiqur fitness clearance ahead of Mackay Test

Bangladesh are keeping their fingers crossed over the availability of in-form opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim for the Mackay Test starting tomorrow (August 22).

Test captain Najmul Hossain said on Friday that he was hopeful both Mushfiqur Rahim and Tanzid will be available for the Test, but insisted they will have to wait for medical clearance before making a final call on Tanzid's participation.

Mushfiqur sustained a finger injury while batting in the nets during Thursday's training session, while Tanzid did not bat because of neck stiffness.

Tanzid joined the training session and batted in the nets on Friday after completing his scan but the team management is waiting for the report before making a final call on the left-handed opener, who scored his maiden Test hundred in Darwin.

Meanwhile, another opener, Soumya Sarkar, had a long batting session for the second successive day as part of the team's backup plan. He could be required to play if Tanzid is ruled out at the last minute.

“Mushfiqur bhai is doing well so far. Tamim also batted today. Overall, I think we will be able to make a good decision tomorrow morning,” Shanto said. “I have an idea [about the playing XI] but I'll take another look tomorrow morning.

"As far as Tanzid is concerned he batted today and that is a positive sign. But in medical terms, we want to observe him a little more until tomorrow morning. Hopefully he will be fine. But we have all kinds of options. So I don't think there will be much of a problem” he said.

Apart from Tanzid, Shanto also has a few other selection calls to make, including whether to opt for a four-man pace attack at the expense of senior left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, or leave out one of the pacers who played in Darwin to make way for Shoriful Islam.

Shoriful, who joined the squad after missing the opening Test due to injury, is considered a valuable option given the comparatively stronger winds in Mackay, which are expected to aid his ability to swing the ball. His left-arm angle would also add variety to the attack.

“Shoriful is fine, healthy. He is bowling well. I hope he will do something good if he gets the chance,” said Shanto.

“I think the bowlers will get a little help because of the wind. The swing might get a little extra. If the bowlers can use the wind, it will definitely be an added advantage for the bowlers.

“The wicket looks good. Of course, the practice wicket we practiced on had a bit more bounce. All five pace bowlers in our squad are ready. The positive side is that the two spinners we have bowl well in any conditions. I think, since we have a little more time, we will take another look at the wicket in the morning and make whatever decision is best for the team,” said Shanto.

“I have said many times that the spin attack we have is very experienced and can bowl in any condition. They know how to bowl in these conditions. With the kind of spinners we have in the team, we have the opportunity to play with three pacers and two spin bowlers,” he said.

“I am very happy with the combination we are playing with. The fast bowlers are doing a great job. If we really think that we need a fourth pacer, then the fourth and fifth pacers are also ready to do their job,” he said.

Shanto said Bangladesh's Darwin Test win is now history and that they are focused on the next challenge, with another strong performance against Australia potentially changing perceptions of the team.

“I think it's done. The Darwin win is over now,” he said. “Now we have to play good cricket for five days again. It's very important for us to do well in this Test match. We have to do well again against this bowling and batting attack.

“Of course, we should play [against big teams like Australia, England in their own backyard]. I don't think we will improve without playing against them,” he said.

“So by winning the last match we were able to send a positive message. I believe the team we have is capable of playing in any condition. We played good cricket in the last match. It is very important that we play good cricket again,” Shanto concluded.