Chief selector hints at spin-heavy Bangladesh XI in first Test

Bangladesh are traditionally a side heavily dependent on spin. And when it comes to Test cricket at home, the presence of even two fast bowlers in the XI is a rarity. Even if there are fast bowlers in the XI, they do not have to work too hard. The spinners usually do the bulk of the bowling.

Although he did not say anything clearly about the XI for the Chattogram Test starting from February 3, the words of BCB chief selector Minhazul Abedin Nannu suggest that Bangladesh are going to play against the Caribbeans with a spin-heavy team.

When asked about the XI, the chief selector said, "We will play the way we always play on home soil. But it is difficult to say right now. The team management will finalise the XI 24 hours prior to the match. It will be then decided how many spinners or pacers will play. It is difficult to predict now."

However, it looks like Bangladesh are planning to rattle West Indies batsmen with spin. Teams that have toured Bangladesh in the past have experienced this.

The West Indies couldn't put up a fight against Bangladesh spinners in their last tour of Bangladesh. In the first Test held in Mirpur, there was no fast bowler in the Bangladesh XI. Mustafizur Rahman played as the only fast bowler in the second Test. But the left-arm pacer bowled only 4 overs in two innings combined.

There were four spinners in the XI in both the Tests. Shakib Al Hasan, Taijul Islam, Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Nayeem Hasan took all the wickets (40 wickets) in the Tests. These four spinners are there in the squad this time around as well and the spin quartet can be seen in the XI again. Abu Jayed Rahi can play as the lone fast bowler. However, the chief selector has informed that everything will be finalised 24 hours ago.

Not only in the latest series against the West Indies, but Bangladesh have also been overpowering the opponents with spin at home for some time now. The list of victims includes Test giants like England and Australia.

There are five fast bowlers in the Bangladesh Test squad against West Indies. They are- Abu Jayed Rahi, Ebadat Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman and Hasan Mahmud. Young Hasan is less likely to make his debut. Mustafizur's chance of making the XI is not too strong either. There is also little chance that Taskin will get a chance.

Abu Jayed Rahi and Ebadat Hossain may have a chance to make it into the XI. In that case, the spin department will be handled by three spinners. And if four spinners play, Ebadat will have to be dropped.