5 Bangladesh players to watch for in the Tests against Australia

5 Bangladesh players to watch for in the Tests against Australia: After defeating the ODI giants Pakistan, India and South Africa in bilateral ODI series at home and securing draws against India and South Africa respectively, now the focus of Bangladesh team shifts away to the Test series against Australia. Though the team has shown signs of maturation in the colourful jersey but yet they have been unable to do anything substantial in the whites. But now opportunity beckons itself as the Bangla tigers will take on a relatively young Aussie side in their own backyard. The first Test is scheduled to commence from October 9. It will be first time since 2006, that Bangladesh will host Kangaroo’s in the longer version of the game. Though whether the tour will go ahead as per the schedule or not is yet to be known as security issues have surrounded the series. Today, let’s have a look at 5 Bangladesh players to watch for in the Tests against Australia: 1. Tamim Iqbal: Tamim Iqbal. (Photo Source: AFP) The destructive Bangladesh opener, Tamim Iqbal has been in red-hot form since the ODI series against Pakistan which was played few months ago. His dazzling performances have not been confined to limited overs format only as against Pakistan he hammered a superlative double ton and became only the second player from Bangladesh to plunder double-century in Test cricket. We are all well aware that when Iqbal gets going, he can derail any bowling line-up of the world. Tamim is a very impactful player and will be the cog-wheel of the side against Australia. This year he is averaging 53.57 in the whites. Also Read – 5 Australian players to watch out for in the Bangladesh Tests 2. Mominul Haque: Mominul Haque. (Photo Source: BCB) Haque is also referred to as Bangladeshi Bradman and why he wouldn’t be? He has only played 17 Test matches till now but his stellar performances have made him the most consistent player to have played for the Bangla tigers in Test cricket if we concede his early performances. He averages a whopping 56 and recently fell short of equaling AB de Villier’s record of consecutive fifties in 12 Test matches. He is a very compact player and has the ability to occupy the crease for long duration of hours. Mominul is the pillar of Bangladesh batting line-up and his performances will be of paramount importance in the outcome of the series. 3. Shakib Al Hasan: Shakib al Hasan. (Photo Source: AFP) The Bangladeshi star all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan is the no.1 ranked all-rounder not only in Test cricket but in all the formats of the game. His majestic performances with the bat and ball have been one of the major reasons behind Bangladesh’s recent triumphs. Shakib plays a very significant role for his side in the middle-order while his left-arm bowling has been a matter of delight and elation for the Bangladeshi people as he has been able to deliver the goods for the team. Like every other series, he will be a momentous player for his side and the biggest threat for the opponent side. 4. Mustafizur Rahman: Mustafizur Rahman. (Photo Source: AFP) The Bangladeshi teen sensation, Mustafizur Rahman became a household name after his fabulous performances against India in the bilateral ODI series. Soon he made his Test debut against South Africa and even there he hogged the limelight when he provided his side with crucial breakthroughs. He is a bowler who heavily relies on variations which are highly deceptive and are generally a nightmare for the batters. On Bangladesh pitches which are low and slow, his slower deliveries are even harder to pick by. Australian’s are used to playing fast bowlers on fast pitches, so a bowler of his pace always turns out to be a big headache for them. 5. Taijul Islam: Taijul Islam. (Photo Source: AFP) Bangladesh is renowned for producing quality left-arm spinners and Taijul Islam is also one of them. In his short Test career which has spanned for 9 Tests only, he has shown the poise and skills needed to be a successful spinner in Test arena. Islam holds the best figures of 8/39 by a Bangladeshi bowler in Tests while he also hit the headlines when he became the first player to take a hat-trick on ODI debut. Now, he has fully recovered from jaundice and will be raring to go at the Aussies. Australia’s woes against quality spin has never been a big secret and in friendly home-conditions, Taijul can turn up the heat and deflate the Aussies.