Sylhet:Dhaka Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed that the presence of fast bowler Nahid Rana could have provided his team with more strategic options in their bowling attack against the West Indies during the recently concluded Test series.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Shanto stated that the team had initially decided on their combination of two pacers and three spinners after evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents. Despite this strategy, the hosts were defeated in the series, with their spinners unable to match the effectiveness of the West Indies' bowlers. Rana's absence due to injury limited Bangladesh's bowling alternatives, Shanto admitted.
The Bangladesh team had previously utilized different bowler combinations in other series, such as playing three pacers against Pakistan and in a Test match in Darwin. However, against the West Indies, they opted for three spinners to leverage spin-friendly home conditions. Shanto highlighted that the team did not encounter the expected pitch conditions, particularly during the second Test in Sylhet, where the pitch favored batting even in the final days.
Shanto explained that the unexpected conditions in Sylhet might have influenced their decision to include an additional pacer had they known the pitch would remain conducive to batting. He emphasized the need for better coordination with relevant authorities to prepare pitches that align with the team's strengths in future series.
The series was vital for Bangladesh's aspirations in the ICC World Test Championship. Shanto acknowledged that the team did not perform to its potential, failing to execute their plans effectively, which led to the disappointing outcome.