Tamim's Test Partner in Pakistan

[Eshen]

Here are the options to consider-

Shadman Islam: Technically looks good, but not delivering so far. Should we be patient with him for few more matches?

Saif Hassan: Has been in awesome form in domestics, has done well in last A-team tour in SL as well. However, I still remember how poor he looked during U/19 WC'18 in Australia. Hopefully he improved a lot in last two years, but I would still wait until Zim series to hand him debut.

Soumya Sarkar: Soumya's weakness against spin is well known, has been a poor choice at home Tests for any position. But, while his home average is 16.71, his away average has been 41.71. I don't see how he can be ignored for Pakistan tour, where we should expect trials by pace. I would gamble on Soumya to open. If not, still an excellent replacement to consider for Momin the home bully (away average 21.45).

Please let me know who would be your pick, or would you consider someone else.

[al Furqaan]

I would go for shadman. Looked excellent in NZ. Deserves a few more chances. I think Saif should be more suited to playing as #3 or #4. I don't think he's a specialist opener. Backup opener should be Soumya (also one of the better slipsman that we have).

[Eshen]

In absence of prep matches, BCB's best bet is to hold prep camps on grassy wickets of Bogra/Rajshahi. They have the option to hold back both Tamim and Miraz as Test specialists, along with likes of Shadman, Momin, Mosaddek, Rahi, Nayeem, Taijul, etc.

Unfortunately, we don't have quality pacers to help batsmen to prep. Our best options would be Taskin, Hasan, Mugdo, etc (there was a mention of Khaled returning to training as well, don't know how well he recovered from surgery by now).

[al Furqaan]

Originally Posted by Eshen
In absence of prep matches, BCB's best bet is to hold prep camps on grassy wickets of Bogra/Rajshahi. They have the option to hold back both Tamim and Miraz as Test specialists, along with likes of Shadman, Momin, Mosaddek, Rahi, Nayeem, Taijul, etc.

Unfortunately, we don't have quality pacers to help batsmen to prep. Our best options would be Taskin, Hasan, Mugdo, etc (there was a mention of Khaled returning to training as well, don't know how well he recovered from surgery by now).

I just recently found videos regarding Khaled's situation. There is an update from a couple weeks ago as follows:



He's training with a short run up, and the report says he is unsure if there is room for him in the PAK test squad which means he must be getting close to match fitness. Perhaps we will see him in the ZIM Test or the 2nd PAK test.

[Gowza]

I’d pick shadman, looks the goods, hopefully with time the results will come. Keep in mind he’s never been the best at converting, although has gotten better the last couple of years.

[cricman]

Open with Mominul, we're gonna be 2-3 down anyway & he's better vs the quicks than spin.

Khawaja opened successfully for Australia