[AsifTheManRahman]

We have the team composition all wrong. I really don't think our batsmen are good enough for us to be able to take advantage of an extra one of them coming in at #8. Our bowlers, on the other hand, are that good - we can have an extra bowler in the team and expect it to pay off most of the time.

Imrul isn't ready for test cricket and so isn't Nayeem. Heck even Ashraful isn't ready (but that's a different story). We shouldn't even be introducing new players to the team at this point. If someone's injured, replace him with someone who's played test cricket in the past - don't make an underprepared newbie face the likes of Steyn and Morkel on evergreen surfaces and kill the flower in the bud (মেটাফোরটা কিঞ্চিত সমকামী হয়ে গেল কি?). Players leaving for the ICL is no excuse for not fielding experienced and better players.

Junaed is an opener, so play him at #1 or #2. Don't try to make a #3 out of a batsman who isn't one. As for the others, the following are different scenarios that we could consider (pick one and stick to it):

Scenario 1: Rakib can bat at #3, followed by Ashraful, Shakib and Mushfiq. #7 onwards, it should be all bowlers (with #7 being one that can bat quite a bit).

Scenario 2: Since Rakib is new to tests, we might prefer Mehrab over him at times (given his form at home) until the former finds his feet. In that case, push Ashraful up to #3 (he doesn't score anyways, so it doesn't matter where you put him; besides, as the senior batsman and captain, he's supposed to be "taking on a lot more responsibility", in the form of coming in to bat early). Let Shakib bat at #4, Mehrab at #5 and Mushfiq at #6.

Scenario 3 (silly, but could work): Rakib at #3, followed by Shakib, Mehrab, Mushfiq and Ashraful at #7 (if we must retain him because no one else is retained for captaincy, in the expense of a bowler - not good). Rakib and Mehrab can both be in the main XI that way.

Scenario 4 (the most extreme): Drop Ashraful. Don't ask me who'll captain, because I have no idea.

Whatever the case, I'd like to see Mushfiq bat at #6 or above and four specialist bowlers to back up Shakib's slow left armers. Mushfiq won't score 50's batting at #8 everyday: if we want more from him, we must ensure that he gets to bat with specialist batsmen/all rounders, not with tail enders (who, btw, look better than many from our top order).