We’ll go on gut feeling for opening combo: Shakib

There will be a change in the opening partnership when Bangladesh take on West Indies in the first Test in Chattogram on Thursday, with three players of varying experience vying for the two spots that have proved problematic for Bangladesh. 

In 10 innings since the first Test against Sri Lanka at the beginning of the year -- when Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes had built fifty partnerships in both innings -- the opening pair have scored a total of just 139 runs, with 56 of them coming in the second innings of the first Test against Zimbabwe in Sylhet last month. 

Star opener Tamim has missed the last two Tests because of injury and has been ruled out of the first Test. Liton Das, who opened the batting in the West Indies in July with Tamim, and with Imrul against Zimbabwe, has been dropped. Meanwhile, Imrul Kayes's splendid form in the ODIs has not carried over to the five-day format, where he has a highest score of 43 in his last 20 innings. 

The pressure on Imrul has increased with the inclusion of promising young opener Shadman Islam on Monday, after he hit 73 in the warm-up match against West Indies. He was also the highest scorer in the recently concluded National Cricket League (NCL) for Dhaka Metro. Soumya Sarkar, who last played a Test for Bangladesh in October 2017 in South Africa, has gotten a recall to the Test squad after a run-filled NCL and an ODI century against Zimbabwe last month. 

However, Test skipper Shakib Al Hasan hinted that Imrul -- with 36 Tests under his belt -- may get another chance to prove himself. 

"We will try to give experienced players more chances, because I always feel that it is more helpful if you have experienced players in Test cricket," said Shakib in the pre-match press conference at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Wednesday. 

While the emphasis on experience tips the scale in Imrul's favour, Shakib said that the team were yet undecided about the combination.

"We haven't yet decided what combination we will take to the field. Imrul played really well in the ODI series, maybe he didn't do well in the Tests, but since he was in good form in the ODIs I think that if he gets the chance he will do well. 

"Shadman played very well in the practice match. Soumya has also made a good comeback. All three have a very good chance, so we have to go on gut feeling, whoever is selecting the team – myself, the coach or the selectors – we have to more or less guess who can contribute best in the Test."

The toss-up is likely to be between Imrul and Shadman. Soumya also excelled in BCB XI's warm-up match with a stroke-filled 78, and it was learnt that the team management rates his ability to play high pace, of which there will be plenty from the West Indian fast men.