Big Boost For Bangladesh As Key Pacer Returns For 2nd Test vs Australia

Shoriful Islam with Bangladesh team [Source: AFP]

Bangladesh will enter their upcoming Test series against Australia with several questions still hanging over their playing XI. The biggest of them is the fitness of Litton Das, who is recovering from an injury and did not take part in batting practice during Tuesday's training session.

The opening Test is scheduled to begin at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin on August 13, while the second Test will be played in Mackay from August 22. With the series fast approaching, Bangladesh has received a significant boost with Shoriful Islam in their bowling department.

Shoriful Islam Set To Join Bangladesh for 2nd Test

Bangladesh pacer Shoriful has passed his fitness test and is set to travel to Australia to join the squad ahead of the second Test.

Bangladesh Cricket Board's cricket-operation in-charge Shahriar Nafees confirmed the development to Cricbuzz on Tuesday, August 11. Shoriful had been recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during Bangladesh's tour of Zimbabwe in July and was already expected to miss the opening Test.

However, his successful fitness test means the 25-year-old can now be considered for the second Test in Mackay.

“He passed the fitness test as he was recovering from an injury and now he is fit to play,” Nafees told Cricbuzz.

Shoriful Islam's availability does not solve Bangladesh's immediate problem in Darwin, but it gives the team another genuine fast-bowling option for the latter half of the series.

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What Is Shoriful Islam's Record In Tests?

Shoriful has not yet developed into a prolific Test wicket-taker, but his numbers show a noticeable difference between his performances at home and away from Bangladesh.

The left-arm pacer has taken 27 wickets in 13 Tests, with his best innings figures being 3/28 and his best match figures 5/56.

His overall bowling average is around 34, while his economy rate remains close to 3.20 runs per over. Interestingly, New Zealand have been one of Shoriful's more productive opponents. Across four Tests, he has collected 10 wickets at 26.90.

[Shoriful Islam Test record against countries]

His record in Bangladesh is also considerably stronger. In seven home Tests, Shoriful has taken 15 wickets at 30.73, compared with 12 wickets at 42.66 in six away Tests.

Australia will provide Shoriful Islam with a completely different examination. Rather than relying heavily on conventional swing, he will need to use his left-arm angle, seam movement, and variations in length to keep Australian batters uncomfortable.

How Shoriful's Selection Can Boost Bangladesh's Preparation Against Australia?

Shoriful's return gives Bangladesh something their bowling attack cannot easily manufacture through selection alone which is a left-arm pace option who can change the angle of attack.

As a left-arm pacer his value in Australia will come from his ability to extract seam movement, attack the stumps and create a different angle against right-handed batters.

Bangladesh have several bowling options available, including Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed and Musfik Hasan. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam provide the main spin options. Shoriful's return therefore creates several possible combinations.

Bangladesh could field Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Hasan Mahmud for the second Test as their three main seamers, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam handling the spin department.

Alternatively, if Bangladesh want greater pace and experience, Ebadot Hossain could enter the equation alongside Taskin and Shoriful.

The most interesting factor is the left-right variation. Taskin and Ebadot are right-arm options, while Shoriful offers the attack a left-arm angle. That means Australia's right-handed top order cannot settle into facing the same angle throughout an innings.

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