[Murad]

Tigers batting quietly
Sports Reporter


Mohammad Ashraful's men have been preparing for the upcoming four-nation Twenty20 tournament in Toronto and three-match one-day series against Australia in Darwin, quite silently.

After a day's break the cricketers, most of whom with the Bangladesh A team in England, return to practice today at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Under the guidance of Jamie Siddons, the Tigers have mainly focussed on their batting, as it is the main headache of the team.

But Bangladesh skipper Ashraful believed that the bowling is also a big concern for them and the constant injury of left-arm pacer Syed Rasel made things more complicated for them, especially in the limited-over game.

Rasel was not available for the Asia Cup in Pakistan due to injury and there is no chance to get the left-arm seamer, who was included in the 21-member preliminary squad which was announced on July 17, his service for the upcoming two tours as the pacer, who is now with the Bangladesh A team in England, has been suffering from back pain.

"During practice we mainly concentrate on our batting and there was no exception this time because it's our main problem in the international cricket but that doesn't mean we are in a comfortable position with our bowling," said Ashraful yesterday.

"I think we have lack of quality bowlers in the pipeline. There are few names who many believe can be good in the international cricket but the performance of Dollar Mahmud simply gave us the impression how different the international cricket is, " he observed.

Chief selector Rafiqul Alam also admitted that they need some quality bowlers in the pipeline.

"I think this is the area where we need more attention. And that's why our specialist bowling coach is specially working with our two frontline pace bowlers (Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Shahadat Hossain)," said Rafiq.

"Without any doubt we have lack of quality bowlers in the pipeline but we have to work with them who are now available. The absence of Shakib (Al Hasan) and Syed Rasel was felt in the last one-day tournaments. The return of Shakib is definitely encouraging for us as his ten-over in the middle is very vital for us but the latest injury of Rasel was a setback," he added.

The former national player however was satisfied with the effort of Nazmul Hossain, who was also included in the preliminary squad.

"I think Nazmul is bowling well and he can be a good option for us," he said.

Rafiq informed that they are yet to decide whether they pick up one team for next two assignments.

"We have a second thought. We will announce the final team before August 4," Rafiq informed.

The Tigers are expected to fly for Toronto on August 11.

The Twenty20 tournament, also featuring hosts Canada, Pakistan and West Indies will be held on August 14 to 17.

After the tournament Bangladesh then head to Darwin for a three-match ODI series against Australia from August 31.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=47749

Seems like Nazmul will be picked for the T20 and Aus tour. I think he deserves it. He's been bowling okay for quite a long time. And I guess he has improved a lot since he got dropped 2/3 years earlier. He could be our 3rd seamer in the ODIs and Tests.


By the way, who is the specialist bowling coach? Sarwar Imran? or the Srilankan guy? I hope the later one.