Tigers in want of Test specialists

As the dreadful show of Bangladesh in the two-match Test series against India recently came to an end with a humiliating 2-0 thrashing, the disaster could also prove to be a perfect time to start over again with a specific focus on Test cricket by bringing specialist cricketers into the fold and grooming potential cricketers with temperament for the longer format squad of the Tigers.

Bangladesh will need to revamp the conventional selection process to add more test experts to its squad with some of the key players may need to retire from one or two forms to ensure that their international careers are extended.

For example, in the case of Mahmudullah Riyad, it would have been better if it happened earlier.

The Tigers appear to be moving in the right direction as giving Mominul Haque the responsibility is indeed a good move towards specialization and so far he has shown a glimpse of his aggressive side, choosing to bat first in both Indore and Kolkata against the world's probably best pace attack.

On both occasions, Bangladesh failed, but their coach, Russell Domingo, said they wouldn't be sitting ducks. In many ways, that may be mocked, but he makes a fair case.

In the past, test specialists have been used almost as a derogatory term in the cricket brotherhood of Bangladesh. It has been used to identify players like Javed Omar, Rajin Saleh, and Enamul Haque Jr, but the government finally sees some interest in Test-match players like Mominul, Taijul Islam, and Shadman Islam.

Taijul is a professional cricketer who brings value as a left-arm spinner ready to bowl long spells to the squad.

As an opener, Shadman has shown that he can bowl confidently and keep well out of the stump, even though he hasn't made a fifty in either New Zealand or India.

Bangladesh will need to pay more attention to detail, however. Since 2007, the Tigers have been able to take a lesson from their ODI feat as they have improved in that format with leaps and bounds, with appropriate strategies.

At least two batsmen have been found to compete for specific batting positions. The batsmen formed have become more reliable, and the line-up as a whole seemed more balanced.

With Mustafizur Rahman and Mohammad Saifuddin standing out as examples, Bangladesh has also found new talents among bowlers and allrounders.