# 3

[roaring tigerz]

An ODI team's success is more often than not defined by its first three batsmen. Not ours. Tamim remains the oppositions most prized scalp, especially in a big run chase. But we have come to rely on Shakib, Mushfiq and Nasir to bail us out of top order collapses with monotonous regularity.

During this series, Mominul has been tried at the all important #3 slot. He is one for the future and undoubtedly has a big future in our team. But the past two games made it clear, that Mominul is not quite ready for an ODI top order slot just yet. He has struggled to rotate the strike and hit boundaries on a featherbed surface. I would like to see a new #3 for the all-important decider. The temptation is to bring up Nasir, who has been Bangladesh's best batsman in this ODI series. But in case he falls early, our lower middle order will not have the wherewithal to resist an early collapse.

Maybe it's time to give Shamsur a go? He was the best Bangladeshi batsman during BPL, and showed enough skills and consistency to warrant prolonged selection. He might fail, but Shamsur and not Mominul is a viable candidate to succeed at #3.

What are your thoughts?