They are too young and have played too few Test matches to be criticised but the three pace bowlers on the first day of the only Test against Zimbabwe failed their skipper who decided to field first at the Harare Sports Club.
Shafiul Islam, Robiul Islam and Rubel Hossain have played a sum total of 14 Tests before this and have taken just 19 wickets between them. Robiul, playing his second game at this level, hasn’t even taken one so to expect them to take full advantage on what turned out to be a flat track was a bridge too far.
“We knew the wicket will be a good one. We thought that in the first two hours there will be some help for the bowlers but I don’t think our bowlers bowled in good areas, consistently,” said Shakib yesterday.
“They bowled some good balls, but not consistently enough. They aren’t very experienced, so it isn’t wise to ask too much of them. I’m sure they can bowl better. I hope they do it tomorrow (Friday),” the all-rounder added.
What is more telling than the experience of the fast bowling trio is the quantity of bowling they’ve had under their belt before coming into a Test match. Normally, a batsman is considered to be uncooked if he hasn’t faced enough deliveries before even a club game but it is also true with the bowlers.
This is true of fast bowlers especially, whose muscles must be re-taught how to bowl long spells like the ones they’ve bowled on the first day. Shafiul, Robiul and Rubel bowled 17, 18 and 18 overs respectively and given their body shape, it looks like a huge toll on them.
But the skipper has a plan for them bowl straight and if they stick to it, wickets could be available early today.
He said, “I’d like them to bowl as straight as they can. Try to hit the wicket everytime they come and bowl. That’s why I’ve set straight fields for them. On this wicket, if you can’t bowl straight, you’ll get hit.”
Still the run-out chance in the second over as well as the dropped catch by Imrul Kayes at the start of the second session, according to Shakib, could have made a massive difference.
“We got two chances at the start of both sessions. If we could have made use of it, but we didn’t quite do that. The batsmen got set, batted a long time.
“They batted well today but it is a five day game. We don’t have to think like that because if we can take two quick wickets, things will be different. They actually didn’t score that much, losing two wickets,” said Shakib.
His opposite number, Brendan Taylor, admitted that he would have chosen to bowl first had he won the toss.
“We would’ve bowled too. It turned out to be a good toss to lose. I think credit must go to our top-order batsmen. Masakadza is looking good and hopefully him and I can post a big total tomorrow and keep the Bangladeshis under pressure,” he said.
-With The Daily Star input
