Zaker Ali Anik and Mahidul Islam made their Test debut on the national soil. Although they could not do anything memorable in that match. However, the team management has faith in them. The governing body of Bangladesh cricket announced the Test squad against West Indies with them. It is believed that one of these two men will be in the XI of the first Test on Friday. Both were seen in different roles in the video message sent by BCB two days before the match. They asked each other various questions, the answers to which came out many things about Test cricket.
Both of them are now cricketers of the national team after completing the lessons of age-based cricket. Zaker made his debut in Dhaka against South Africa. He was dismissed for 2 runs in the first innings but scored 58 runs in the second innings. He did not play the second test due to injury, Mahidul got a call up suddenly. In the first innings in Chittagong, he was dismissed for zero but scored 29 runs in the second innings. Anyone can get a chance as a wicketkeeper batsman even if he doesn't do well in the beginning. They have proved themselves in the two-day preparation match. Both got runs. Zak's 48 and Sate Mahidul's 41 runs came from the bat of six overs.
The experience of the two-day preparation match has been very good for Bangladesh. In the light of that experience, Zaker said in a video message broadcast by BCB, 'The conditions here are new for us. My plan was to know how the wicket was behaving. When we understood, we started playing accordingly. The wicket was slow. We have made a good pair. I played with a plan. Here you have to play according to the situation, there is more swing, there was preparation for this in advance, I tried to use it.'
The top-order batsmen have to do that first, as Jake has tried to understand the situation. Or the painful memories of the past will resurface in Antigua. In the two Tests that Bangladesh have played on the fast-paced Antigua wicket, they have failed each time. In 2018, he was all out for 43 runs. After that there was no change in performance even in 2022. Bangladesh runs 103 and 245 respectively in two innings. Top order batsmen have to take responsibility for changing their fortunes. In recent times, those whose performance is going absolutely. If there is no improvement in Antigua this time too, far from changing the old history, Liton-Zakir-Saadman will have to face a tough challenge.
Mohammad Salahuddin returned to BCB as senior assistant coach after a long time. He started working in the Bangladesh team 15 years ago from the West Indies. Although the team is relatively young this time, he is quite optimistic. Two days ago, Salahuddin said, 'This year's team is much more confident and the young cricketers are ready to prove their mettle. I strongly believe they will give their best.'
