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head coach Chandika Hathurusingha and the duo was engaged in a long chat.

Bangladesh convincingly won their campaign opener against Afghanistan, but there is a possibility that they could opt for a different strategy against the defending champions today.

Having opted to field five specialist bowlers on Saturday, with Mahmudullah Riyad fitted to sneak in a few overs if needed, did not backfire. But against a vastly superior side in England, the think-tank would consider the safety net formed through an extra bowling option.

Hathurusingha was seen talking to Sheikh Mahedi Hasan ahead of yesterday’s optional training session, and it won’t be a surprise if the off-spinning all-rounder eventually makes the cut to the playing eleven.

The mood in the Tigers camp appears relaxed. Taskin Ahmed, Liton Das and Shoriful Islam opted to rest at the team hotel instead of partaking in training, while the likes of Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah and Mahedi were seen batting at the nets against Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nasum Ahmed and a few net bowlers.

Shakib, though, was present but remained an exception as the ace all-rounder skipped practice and was seen in a jovial mood, smiling and chatting with the coaches and the members of the team throughout the training session.

The Bangladesh skipper perhaps wanted to keep himself fresh before a high-intensity match, and focus more on his tactical input to the think-tank. Shakib will certainly hope his troops repeat the tenacity and the overall body language which was on display against the Afghans.