Tamim Iqbal, though not officially retired, has been absent from Test cricket for the past 18 months. During this period, the national team has had to experiment with various opening combinations. Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Shadman Islam have been tried as openers in several Tests. With the inclusion of Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Zakir Hasan, the pool of potential openers has grown. However, despite his excellent form, Joy has not been given the opportunity to play. None of these players have managed to fill the void left by Tamim. Now, the selectors face the daunting task of finding replacements for key players like Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah Riyad, and Mushfiqur Rahim. Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu and Habibul Bashar believe that these star cricketers are irreplaceable. The gaps left by Shakib and Mahmudullah must be filled with the best talents emerging from the pipeline.
Just four days ago, Shakib announced his retirement from Test and T20 cricket. This forced the selectors to find a replacement for Shakib in the T20 squad against India. Mehdi Hasan Miraj, another spin all-rounder, has been chosen to fill the left-arm all-rounder vacancy. It remains to be seen how well Miraj can step into the shoes of one of the world's best all-rounders. Former selector Habibul Bashar believes that a left-handed all-rounder is essential to replace Shakib in ODIs and Tests. He has identified a current deficiency in Bangladesh's squad.
Bashar notes that finding replacements for key players is not straightforward. It took considerable effort to replace Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, with Saifuddin being considered but ultimately falling short. It took three years to stabilise the fast bowling unit. Now, as more players leave the national team, there are candidates in mind to fill the gaps. Miraj is ready and might be able to step into Shakib's role. There are also potential candidates for the opening positions, and hopefully, a settled pair will emerge soon.
While Miraj might fill the gap in the T20 team, it is more challenging in Tests and ODIs. Miraj has already been paired with Shakib in these formats. Without Shakib, the coach will need to rethink the team balance. Coach Chandika Hathurusinghe has emphasised Shakib's importance, stating, "If Shakib is available, I can include an extra batsman or bowler. With two all-rounders, the batting lineup is stronger." The coach will face the challenge of Shakib's absence in the next series by relying on a specialist left-arm spinner.
Mahmudullah continues to play T20 and ODI cricket, but finding a suitable replacement has been difficult. Afif Hossain and Shamim Hossain Patwari have not performed as expected in T20s, despite being part of the national team for some time. Afif, who debuted in 2020, has been in and out of the team despite playing 31 T20s. He was brought in to develop as a batting all-rounder, capable of bowling off-spin like Mahmudullah. Shamim, seen as a finisher in white-ball cricket, has also failed to prove himself. As a result, the selectors continue to rely on the experienced Mahmudullah.
Chief Selector Lipu acknowledges the inevitability of change due to age or injury. He emphasises the need to select the best possible players from the pipeline, even if they are not fully ready. Some players get opportunities at an immature stage due to circumstances. Those who leave will be replaced, but the newcomers will not immediately match the seniors' experience, performance, and skills. Some adapt quickly, while others struggle. New players must be given a chance.
Lipu believes that if the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) plans are executed properly, quality alternative cricketers will emerge. He highlights the importance of initiatives like Tiger HP, which, if run properly, will yield better results. Despite a lack of facilities, increasing the number of coaches and ensuring regular play for HP and A teams is crucial. The current efforts should not be reduced but rather increased. There is no true alternative to the experience of playing 18 years, which cannot be replaced by playing just 5-10 matches.
