The inclusion of an extra spinner in the first Test in Chittagong yesterday meant that Bangladesh would have to step out of their traditional tendency of playing eight batsmen at home. The unlucky batsman turned out to be vice-captain Mahmudullah Riyad, who bats at number eight. Going by Riyad's recent form, him missing out for a second Test in a row - the Tigers'previous Test against Zimbabwe being the first - was always on the cards.

Riyad's last six Test innings fetched him a total of just 36 runs. He failed to hit form in the three-day practice match and the Dhaka Premier League, both of which were crucial to selection for this Test.

With a number of batsmen in good form - Marshall Ayub, Naeem Islam and Mominul Haque have all hit centuries recently - Riyad's spot in the side was bound to be tested, something which he is not used to. He began his Test career in 2009 against the West Indies where he picked up a five-for and played a crucial role with the ball and contributed to the Tigers' series win. 2010 was a good year for him with the bat - he scored his first century against the Kiwis at Hamilton and also scored an unbeaten 96 against India as well as two half-centuries against England. Since then however, he registered just two half-centuries in eight matches, with his next-highest score being 32.

Riyad was dropped in the longer version for the first time during the West Indies' tour of Bangladesh in 2011. This time though there may be greater implications. Riyad is the vice-captain of the side and considering that a lengthier rope is extended to those in leadership roles, his ommission is not good news.

If this is a concern, the player's public utterances do not reflect it. In a press conference last week, Riyad stated that he was content with his performance in the Dhaka League, where he scored two half-centuries, one 30 and a duck.

During the national team’s fitness camp a few months ago, Riyad had told The Daily Star that it was his dream to get promoted and lead the national side one day. That dream, although not vanquished, seems far away now. He would want to spend all his energy into turning his form around although a comeback in this series may already be a stretch too far, especially if the current batsmen hit form on a benign pitch.