Sports Desk:

As the Bangladesh national team continue their preparations in Abu Dhabi, discussions around the final playing XI are gaining momentum — particularly concerning the place of Tawhid Hridoy in the middle order. The atmosphere in the training ground at Oval 1 was intense but measured, with the late-evening desert heat offering some respite as the players engaged in skill sessions under the floodlights.

While spinner Nasum Ahmed shared a light-hearted moment with Saif Hassan about the enjoyable nature of bowling on these wickets, it underscored the seriousness with which players are evaluating conditions. Saif’s evident curiosity reflects the stakes involved, as he finds himself in direct contention for a spot in the side — one potentially vacated by an out-of-form Hridoy.

Hridoy, meanwhile, endured a modest net session, marked neither by length nor intensity. As he returned to the tent, drenched in sweat and visibly drained, signs of concern were hard to miss. He shared a quiet conversation with teammate Tanzim Hasan Sakib, possibly reflecting on the difficulties he faced while batting.

Statistically and contextually, Hridoy is under considerable pressure. In his last 12 T20I innings, he has failed to register a single half-century. His most recent outing — scoring just 9 runs off 14 balls against the Netherlands in Sylhet — was particularly underwhelming, as he struggled against average Dutch spin. That innings, coupled with similarly subdued performances against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, has raised legitimate questions about his place in the starting XI.

His approach in the middle order has often appeared overly cautious, which has disrupted the momentum created by the top order. It’s this hesitance that could cost him a place, especially with competition heating up. Currently, four players are vying for three middle-order spots: Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain Patwari, Hridoy himself, and Saif Hassan. Jaker is believed to be a confirmed starter, leaving the remaining two positions to be fought over by the others. Given recent form, Hridoy appears the likeliest to be left out — at least for the first match against Hong Kong on Thursday.

Elsewhere, the bowling unit is taking shape more predictably. Bangladesh seem poised to go with a combination of three pacers and two spinners. Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed are certainties, while the third seamer’s slot is being contested by Shoriful Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib — all of whom had multiple spells during training.

Team manager Nafis Iqbal was actively involved, even hand-picking net bowlers by asking for the best right- and left-arm pacers available. One of them, Younus Ali — a left-arm bowler originally from Cumilla, now residing in the UAE — eagerly volunteered, dreaming one day of representing the Emirates.

In the nets, the likes of Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, and Litton Das were among the first to bat. Hridoy joined Jaker in the adjacent net shortly afterwards, followed by Saif. Meanwhile, Nurul Hasan Sohan, whose chances of featuring in the playing XI appear slim, had to wait until the very end for his turn in the nets, with manager Nafis even stepping in to assist him with wicketkeeping drills.

The coaching staff, led by head coach Phil Simmons and supported by his assistants, were methodical in observing the players. Later, Simmons and captain Litton were seen in deep discussion away from the main group, likely finalising decisions on the unresolved spots in the line-up.

Bangladesh have one more training session remaining before their opening match, scheduled for 8:00pm local time on Wednesday. While it may not match the previous day’s intensity, it will be the final opportunity for players to stake their claims.

As they wrapped up the session, Litton was seen asking about the result of the Afghanistan vs Hong Kong match — perhaps seeking insight into pitch behaviour in Abu Dhabi. With team selection and strategic planning hanging in the balance, such details could prove vital.