Test preparations not point-focused on Rashid, says Shadman

We are not too concerned about Rashid Khan: Shadman Islam. © BCB

Bangladesh Test opener Shadman Islam has said that his side, habituated to playing spin in home conditions, is not too wary of Rashid Khan, more known for his exploits in white-ball cricket. Shadman said that Bangladesh instead were focusing on Afghanistan's overall "good" spin attack, against which batting discipline will be a key virtue.

''We are not too concerned about him,'' Shadman said about Rashid at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday. ''Bowling in Tests and shorter formats are different and we face lots of good quality bowlers in our domestic cricket. Though it might be slightly better in international cricket, I think if we play sensibly it won't be a problem.

''I know Afghanistan have a good spin attack. I always work on handling pace bowling but they have spinners like Rashid Khan, Nabi, and they are good spinners with good variations. I think I should leave the ball that is spinning away and not go chasing at wide deliveries."

Rashid-led Afghanistan will arrive in Bangladesh on August 30 to take part in the one-off Test match, which will be followed by Twenty20 tri-nation with Zimbabwe being the third team.

The focus now though is firmly on the Test series, with the hosts planning their preparation camp accordingly and crowding the nets to prepare against Afghanistan's spin attack. They have even called leg spinner Jubair Hossain to the nets, the 23-year-old finally coming out of the wilderness after a couple of years.

Shadman, who has played three Tests so far, said that he is not too hassled by the absence of Tamim Iqbal, who was also not around when he made his debut against West Indies at home in 2018, adding that he's aware of his half-starts in New Zealand which saw him finish with scores of 27, 29, 24 and 37 in the two Tests.

''Maybe I was lacking in the New Zealand series. We don't have bouncy wickets like them. So when next time I will go, I try to prepare according to that but for now you can expect (some runs). 'I will try my best to make a big score.

'I will try to play my natural game. I will play like I play in first-class matches or with A team. We have lots of four-day matches with the A team keeping in mind that there is a Test Championship now. We were sent to India with BCB XI and we started out practice for this Test from there."