Bangladesh will become the ninth Test team to return in the arena after the Covid-19 break but the long hiatus will resume as old phenomena for them when they take on the West Indies at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in the port city in their first Test from Wednesday.
Bangladesh played just one home Test throughout the ill-fated 2020 when they beat Zimbabwe comfortably in the one-off game in the series but the long break between Test matches is not an uncommon situation for them.
Bangladesh play fewer Tests compared to the other nations and they have the previous instance of going through 14-month gap (back in 2010), and regular breaks of over six months between series.
But this time, let alone the Tests, Bangladesh players have not even taken part in any competitive red-ball game since the Zimbabwe Test in February last year.
The resumption in Tests will also present some other challenges.
Shakib al Hasan, who served one-year ban imposed by International Cricket Council for failing to report multiple corrupt approaches by bookies, is all set to return as the team suggested that the ace all-rounder has recovered from his groin injury that he sustained in the third and final ODI against the Windies recently.
Mominul Haque, who got the captaincy on an emergency basis in place of Shakib, is going to start as a permanent captain in this series.
The skipper said the presence of Shakib will ease his job and the young captain is expected to get support from other senior members of the side along with Shakib.
All eyes will be on Shakib al Hasan as he makes his return to red-ball cricket AFP
But the hosts will have to solve some other issues while fielding the XI.
Bangladesh will face the perennial question of finding the opening partner of experienced Tamim Iqbal.
Both the contenders, Shadman Islam and Saif Hasan, were seen in practice with the letter even seen bowling in the nets.
The more pressing dilemma may occur with the formation of bowling attack as Bangladesh are still gauging the conditions and opponents before deciding to go for three or two spinners.
Taijul Islam, who bowls left-arm spin like Shakib, is the most experienced Test bowler while both off-spinners Nayeem Hasan and Mehedi Hasan Miraz tasted success against the Caribbean side.
Tall Nayeem bagged a five-for in their last home series while Miraz, who looked jovial in training, is confident after a successful ODI series against the Windies.
While in the pace bowling department, Abu Jayed Rahi is likely to lead the attack and one or even two from Mustafizur Rahman, Ebadat Hossain and Taskin Ahmed, who bowled over an hour in the nets, may join him.
Mominul, who emphasized on new start, did not give any hint about the playing XI.
How many Tigers pacers line up in the starting XI remains to be seen AFP
“It is true we returned to cricket after a year. I think as we returned after a year we have another chance to start the Test cricket in a new way,” said the left-handed batsman in the pre-match virtual press conference.
“We form team according to wicket and condition. We take measures according to them and will reveal the XI before the toss,” he added.
Bangladesh won their last Test against low ranked Zimbabwe but the last time they played at ZACS, they were embarrassed by another low-ranked side in Afghanistan, losing by a 224-run margin.
In the just concluded ODI series, the hosts comfortably beat the visitors, who formed a very inexperienced side due to most of their players withdrawing citing Covid-19 concerns, but the Test side are expected to give a much stiffer challenge.
Windies pace attack is experienced with the likes of Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel along with the talented Alzarri Joseph and heavily-built spinner Rahkeem Cornwell, who got sharp turn and bounce in the practice match, may cause concerns in the hosts’ ranks.
The visitors’ batting is also expected to pose a lot more resistance with the addition of stand-in captain Kraigg Brathwaite, who scored some runs in the three-day practice match against Bangladesh Cricket Board XI, Jermaine Blackwood and John Campbell.
The inconsistency and infrequency of Bangladesh in Tests along with the mindset of yet another new start from scratch may bring balance in the series against a weaker side which have been known to struggle in these conditions in recent times.