Bangladesh pace bowlers will have a tough ask to prove themselves in the forthcoming two-Test series against hosts South Africa after underperforming in the last Test matches played both in the home and away over the past one year. Bangladesh have played nine Test matches against the sides like England, New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka and Australia over the past one year but the pacers could contribute rarely in these Test matches.
They also could not make their marks in the shorter formats also as the pacers were seen struggling throughout the ICC Champions Trophy in English condition.
Pacer Mustafizur Rahman showed some brilliance against Australia in the last Test match played in Chittagong as he picked up four wickets in the first innings to show his ability to perform in difficult spin-friendly surfaces.
But the pacers would face the biggest Test of their abilities in the bouncy wicket of South Africa in the two-Test series when they were expected to do well.
With the main architect of their success Sakib al Hasan not featuring in the Test series scheduled to start from September 28, Bangladeshi pacers Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Subhasis Roy and Taskin Ahmed would be the key for the Tigers if they really want some positive result from the series.
Rubel Hossain, the most experienced pacer in the squad, who played 24 Test matches for the Tigers since he made his Test debut in 2009, was aware of these facts and revealed that they needed to adjust to their accuracy to get success in the Test series.
The 27-year old, who played one Test more than the combined matches of the rest of the pacers played in their career, pointed out that South Africa was the ultimate place for the pacers to get back in-form.
‘We have to know where we need to bowl because in the bouncy wickets we have to adjust our line and length properly,’ said Rubel, who joined the team a week later because of his problem with immigration clearance.
‘If we bowl short it will be easy for the batsman as there is bounce in the wicket,’ the right-arm pacer told reporters at Senwes Park on Monday.
‘We know that pace bowlers get a lot of help in South Africa because it usually remains bouncy. There is also swing [for pace bowlers].
‘It is an ideal place for the pace bowlers so we believe if we [pace bowlers] can bowl with a definite plan we will surely have success,’ he added.
Mustafiz is the lone pacer in the Bangladesh team to pick at least five wickets in a Test match on two occasions over last one year, first against Sri Lanka at Colombo and second against the Aussies in Chittagong.
With more dependence on the spinners and lack of chances to show their talent, Rubel hoped this would be a real test for the Bangladesh pace bowling attack.
-With New Age input
