Ahead of the Chattogram Test against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh called left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam, indicating that the hosts are considering a spin-heavy attack to save the series.
With pacer Nahid Rana unavailable due to his participation in the Pakistan Super League, selectors have opted not to replace him with another seamer.
Instead, Tanvir’s inclusion proves the think tank’s assessment of Chattogram’s spin-friendly surface and the relative ineffectiveness of the fast bowlers in the first Test.
“That leaves room for an additional spinner,” Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain told reporters, noting that the move is also a precaution in case of injury or concussion.
Tanvir, who has largely featured in white-ball cricket, is seen as a more effective option than left-arm spinner Hasan Murad for this particular Test.
“Tanvir offers more in terms of loop and flight,” Ashraf explained.