'Batters should value their wickets'

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim said yesterday that there was a chance for him to bat at number five instead of six in the second Test at Khulna.

There have been opinions that a promotion would give the team's best batsman more time to get settled and eventually contribute more for his side.

This is one scenario that the team management has been discussing. However, the home side's discussions have been revolving around the improvement of their batting in the second Test, as the Bangladesh batsmen were guilty of throwing away their wickets in the first Test which the home side barely edged through.

The opening pair of Tamim Iqbal and Shamsur Rahman did not click, while the middle order wobbled on a bouncy track. The possibility of including an extra batsman and playing just one seamer was also a thought that was reportedly discussed by the team's think tank yesterday.

While 'one-pacer attack' strategy is not likely to be applied, the team management is considering a new batsman for the number seven position, where Shuvagata Hom played in the last Test. It could either be Marshall Ayub or Anamul Haque.

While replacements are required, they won't necessarily solve Bangladesh's batting fragility. The top order, according to chief selector Faruque Ahmed, needs to bat more like a 'Test team'.

"I want to see 'Test-like' batting. Honestly speaking batting has been a real concern for the team and we hope they can apply themselves properly. If someone is settled then he must ensure that he carries on," said the former national skipper.

Faruque, however, had no complaints about his bowling department.

"I am very confident about our spin attack and believe they will be more dangerous here. It was also nice to see our pacer [Shahadat Hossain] get the early breakthroughs in the first Test," he said.

His colleagues Minhazul Abedin and Habibul Bashar echoed similar sentiments. "Their main objective should be to stay in the middle for as much time as possible.

"The first five wickets should be able to give us at least 270 runs on the board. The batsmen should understand the value of a wicket," said Minhazul, considered as one of Bangladesh's finest batsmen of the pre-Test era.

Bashar emphasised the importance of the top order as well. The concern stems from the fact that Bangladesh's top five batsmen have failed to put on more than 200 runs seven out of nine times this year.

"The top order desperately needs to score big. I believe one or two big knocks will change the whole scenario. And personally I think this series gives the batsmen their biggest opportunity to score, since they are playing against a comparatively weak bowling attack," said Bashar.