Bangladesh’s Fast Bowling Trinity Returns—But Are They Battle-Ready?

There’s something special about a rapid-fire pace attack (especially when it’s Taskin charging in, Mustafizur bending it two ways, and Shoriful running in from the other end). For Bangladesh supporters, seeing all three back isn’t just excitement, it’s relief. After a slew of injuries and long recovery periods, the pace trio is now in a position to make their potential return in the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. But will they be fit? Will they be as fit as they can be? Let’s find out.

Testing Fitness in Chattogram

For the three players, it hasn’t been easy. Mustafizur’s thumb injury is still Ayub’s from the IPL, which makes him unfit to play the T20Is against Pakistan. Taskin has been suffering from an ankle problem for months now. What about Shoriful? He suffered a muscle strain before missing the last T20I vs Pakistan.

That’s awesome news– but there is a caveat! When and why not, you ask? Practicing is one thing, playing while under the same pressure conditions is another. Before the players can get the green light, they will be assessed during the two intra-squad games on June 23 and 25. The issue is not one of determining whether they can bowl, but whether they can bowl and deliver under game conditions without any adverse effects.

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What Their Return Means for Bangladesh

No need to pretend, this is huge. Even though Bangladesh’s pace stocks are getting better, they are still mostly these three. Taskin is the leader and the horse. Mustafizur is the wicket king of the death-overs with his clever cutters, and Shoriful gives you disparity in left-arm angle and raw energy.

With a white-ball series against Sri Lanka starting in July (ODIs on the 2nd, 5th, and 8th, and T20Is on the 10th, 13th, and 16th), now is the perfect time. A fully fit pace group not only balances the bowling group along with a lot of selection flexibility for the captain and coach, but also relieves some pressure on the spinners on flat Sri Lankan pitches. In Sri Lankan conditions, seamers who can bowl first become worth their weight in gold at the death.

But Are They Really Ready? The Mental and Physical Test

Injuries impact and harm not only the body, it harms confidence. This is especially the case for bowlers who often rely on rhythm. Coming back from injury is as much a mental process as it is a medical one. Taskin now must ask himself if he can push off his ankle without hesitation. Will Shoriful be able to take off, fully confident in his action?

That’s what the practice games will tell us. These games are not simply practice – they are trials. The selectors will closely monitor details such as fatigue, pain, or tentativeness, and taking semi-fit bowlers to Sri Lanka is risky, especially with a full tour schedule ahead of them.

The good news is that there have been reports from Chattogram suggesting none of the three bowlers have said anything about being in pain after practicing to bowl – that’s a huge positive to take from the tour at this stage – if they can make through these games now with no issues, then everyone will see the dream pace attack in full flight.

Can this trio rebound from uncertainty and head to Sri Lanka on fire? Or will Bangladesh again be looking to the bench? One thing is for sure: The Tigers’ bowling future hangs on if these three rebounds.

Are you excited to see Taskin’s fire, Fizz’s magic, and Shoriful’s aggression return?