Mashrafe Mortaza likely to be rested

Mashrafe Mortaza, or the Norail Express as he is known in these parts, is the talk of Dhaka after his rousing comeback to Test cricket against the Indians. However, speculation is rife that he will be rested for the second Test in order to facilitate a smooth comeback to international cricket. Mortaza, who dismissed Rahul Dravid, induced several chances and was easily the pick of the bowlers, missed more than a year of international cricket after suffering a knee injury in the second Test against England at Chittagong in November last year.

Dav Whatmore, the Bangladesh coach, confirmed that there was thought of resting Mortaza for the second Test against India that starts at Chittagong on December 17. "The decision to play or not to play Mashrafe will be based on the best interests of Mashrafe's long-term return to international cricket," he explained. "You know that we have three one-dayers one day after the next Test match, and within less than three weeks we have another two Test matches and five one-dayers against Zimbabwe. So you have to understand that there is good reason to have lot of discussion about Mashrafe in the best interest of him."

The Dail Star newspaper reported that Mortaza was set to sit out the second Test, and that Nazmul Hossain, the 17-year-old fast bowler, would make the playing XI in his place.

The Bangladesh squad for the second Test will be named later on December 13.