Bangladesh left-arm spinner Elias Sunny will be leaving for the West Indies tomorrow ahead of the two-match Test series scheduled to begin on September 5 at Kingstown. Sunny will replace off-spinner Shohag Gazi in the Test squad.
Gazi’s bowling action was recently called into question by the International Cricket Council after the conclusion of the second ODI against the West Indies and will now be scrutinised at the Metropolitan University in Cardiff on September 19.
Sunny has scripted his comeback to the Test side after more than a year. The last of his four Test matches came against Sri Lanka in Galle last year in March when he remained wicketless which will no doubt keep him under pressure if given the opportunity to perform.
“Obviously there will be some pressure and it will be quite challenging for me to return to international cricket after a while. Recent performances will also add extra pressure upon me,” Sunny told Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
The 28-year old spinner though will have fond memories of the upcoming opponents as it was against the Windies that he made his Test debut at home three years ago. Sunny made the occasion a memorable one as he was awarded the man-of-the-match after picking up seven wickets on his debut, including a career-best 6/94 in the first innings.
“Facing the West Indies will give me confidence as I was successful against them on my debut. I am hopeful of repeating my performance this time,” he said.
Although a tough task awaits the bowlers, Sunny believes Bangladesh will be able to perform to their potential in the Test series. “I am confident that we can make a good comeback in the Test series after struggling in the one-day series but we have to play good cricket,” he said.
However, there is a possibility that young left-arm spinner Taijul Islam might get the nod to play ahead of Sunny. Taijul was successful in picking up regular wickets during the Bangladesh A team’s recent tour of the Caribbean and was also one of the best bowlers in domestic cricket last season.
Sunny though was quietly confident and said he will give his best provided he gets the chance in the playing eleven. “I am not thinking about who will be playing the first Test but whenever I get the opportunity I will try to give my best shot,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mashrafe bin Mortaza, Taskin Ahmed, Abdur Razzak and Mithun Ali will reach Dhaka today after taking part in the limited-over leg of the tour – three ODIs and a lone Twenty20 international. Robiul Islam, Shafiul Islam, Taijul Islam and Shuvagata Hom Chowdhury have replaced the quartet for the Test matches.
