Shakib prefers experience in opening position
© Cricfrenzy
||CF Correspondent||
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan is relying on the experienced openers to do the job against West Indies in the upcoming two-match Test series.
Shakib also did not rule out the chances of uncapped left-handed opener Shadman Islam in the series-opener considering his recent form.
Bangladesh included Shadman in the last minute after his showdown in the practice match against West Indies impressed the selectors to a large extent while his domestic form also paved his way to the Test squad.
Shadman was included largely to cover for Imrul Kayes or Soumya Sarkar if needed.
The opening combination is a concerning area for the hosts and it turned out even bigger due to the absence of regular opener Tamim Iqbal, who is nursing a side strain.
Tamim was ruled out after he sustained a wrist injury during the Asia Cup opener against Sri Lanka and he has been going through a rehabilitation process since then.
Shakib said: “See we will try to give the chance to experience players. I always believe that it is very helpful to have an experienced player in the Test side. But still we are yet to decide about our combination.
“Imrul has done well in the ODI series but didn’t perform well in the two Tests. He was in a good shape in ODIs so I think if he gets chance he will do well. Shadman did extremely well in the practice game. Soumya made a good comeback. Three of them have good chances.
“Those who will select the team, whether It will be I or coach or selectors, we will have to use our gut feeling to decide. We may have to guess as well about who can contribute much on a particular Test match.”
![Phil Simmons [L], Mohammad Salahuddin and Mushtaq Ahmed in one frame, Cricfrenzy](https://cricfrenzy.com/public/storage/images/3-2025/a69b011cd2ca72x03mB61a80.jpg)
