Nearly eighteen years after becoming a Test-playing nation, Bangladesh have failed to produce any pacer with profound wicket-taking ability. Only two bowlers (Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammad Rafique) have reached the milestone of 100 wickets in Test for the Tigers and both of them are spinners.

Mashrafe Mortaza, who last played a Test match in 2009, is still the leading wicket-taker among the fast-bowlers of the country. While relative newcomers like Taijul Islam (58) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (69) have earned a place among the top wicket-takers for Bangladesh, none of the active fast-bowlers have managed to scalp even 40 wickets in their careers so far.

Former Bangladesh coach Sarwar Imran believes that the short-term pacer training camps will remain ineffective unless there is a proper academy which will function as a hub for the pacers across the country.

“We should have a pace academy where there will be at least 15-16 pacers. Those dropped from the national team and age-group teams will be training [there] alongside the Under-19 team, 'A' team, and the academy team pacers all year round. Pacers from there can also join the national team if needed.