Bangladesh Test skipper Mominul Haque feels that they have got an opportunity to see their pace-bowling bench strength in the series-deciding second Test against Sri Lanka, scheduled to start in Dhaka from May 23.
Bangladesh will be without two of their leading fast bowlers. Taskin Ahmed was ruled out before the Test series whereas Shoriful Islam stands ruled out after being injured in the opening Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.
Mominul also cannot rely heavily on spinners as Mehedy Hassan was ruled out before the Test series while Nayeem Hasan, who picked six wickets in his comeback match, is also injured and unavailable.
Bangladesh have not named any replacement for either Shoriful Islam or Nayeem Hasan, with latter expecting to be replaced by Mosaddek Hossain, who is expected to be making a comeback after a gap of three years.
Mominul will be keen to see the development of Ebadot Hossain in particular, considering a section of team management prefers to use the pace bowlers in favourable condition outside Asia.
''I don't know whether only one pace bowler has played since I took over as captain,'' Mominul told reporters ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka at SBNS on Friday. ''When you start something at times, there will be obstacles. Taskin played very well till the time he was with us while Shoriful also contributed. It's a big chance for those who will replace them (in the playing XI).
''As a Test skipper, I want there should be a couple of pace bowlers and there should be a healthy competition, so this is an opportunity for me (to see the bench strength) and see how we can develop in the future.
''I always want to remain optimistic. In South Africa's second Test, he failed to pick the length and failed to bowl as he does but we always practice in Dhaka and I feel he (Ebadot) knows the conditions well and will make a good comeback. This is a big chance for Ebadot."
Mominul also said that he is not losing his sleep over the unavailability of Nayeem Hasan, despite the fact that the SBNS surface is known for assisting spinners.
''If Mossadek plays, his role will be different and we have to use him intelligently. There will be time when you will be in this kind of situation (missing some key players) and you have to get over it. I am very optimistic and confident with Shakib bhai and Taijul around, and don't feel there will be a big problem."
While the Chattogram wicket in the first Test hardly had anything for the bowlers, it will be a different story at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, where no Test match has been drawn since 2016.
''If we consider conditions and everything, we have a good chance to win the series. It's not the biggest chance but there is chance to clinch the series. Very few matches end without a result in Mirpur," Mominul concluded.
