Rishad not ready for Test: Shanto

Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh's all-format captain, on Tuesday said that young leg-spinner Rishad Hossain is not ready for Test cricket yet, reports Cricbuzz.

Rishad's name had come up in discussion for the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan following his remarkable performance in the recently-concluded T20 World Cup, where he had picked 14 wickets and finished as the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

Historically, Bangladesh have tended to push players who've excelled in one format to other formats as well. "I think selectors can answer better (whether Rishad will be picked for Test cricket or not) but as per my experience I don't think he is ready for red ball yet," Shanto told reporters in a private event in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Shanto credited outgoing spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed for helping Rishad with tactical knowledge but also hailed the role of the local coaches in helping the youngster.

"He (Mushtaq) has done tremendous work with Rishad and other bowlers were comfortable as well, but I won't give all the credit to Mushtaq alone. Rishad had been practising under our local coaches as well before he arrived. Mushtaq Ahmed has the experience of playing for so many years. He has won the World Cup and coached teams that have won the World Cup, so he shared those experiences with Rishad, helped him tactically.

"But technically if you say, the local coaches had a big part in developing him. They motivated him (Rishad) and they helped him to figure out his shortcomings. These aspects were handled by local coaches such as Sohel Islam and others who were there and worked with Rishad, so overall credit should go to both local coaches and Mushtaq," he said.

Shanto added that his team needs to move on from their T20 World Cup performance, looking at different challenges that a different format is going to bring. "Whether we do well or not, we must move ahead (from the thoughts of the disappointing World Cup campaign). This will be a different format, and some new players are coming in who were not included in the T20 format."

The return of veteran players like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque for the two-match Test series is expected to bolster the side. "Those who are coming have been preparing for a long time before the Pakistan series. So we want to start this series with a positive approach. Everyone has had enough time to prepare, so I am hoping something good will happen.

"It's a really important series against Pakistan and like you said a lot of players who have gone to Australia (to play the four-day game against Pakistan Shaheens with the High Performance Unit) might be in the main squad, so it is a good opportunity for them to prepare.

"We also have two practice matches in Chattogram, , so those who are included in this squad will be able to prepare well. Planning-wise we have a few matches and a few practice sessions so we are trying to prepare ourselves in the best way possible," he said.