Tigers’ World T20 mission begins with Pakistan tour

963
File Photo

DHAKA, Jan 22, 2020 (BSS) – Bangladesh will have an eye to fix their team combination for the World T20 later this year in Australia when they would start playing three-match T20 International series against Pakistan.

The Tigers is set to leave the country tonight for the much-speculated
series through a chartered flight.

Bangladesh have formed the T20 squad with lots of youngster and it only implies that they are not only thinking of the Pakistan series but also wants to experiment for the sake of the World T20.

There are a lot of top-order batsmen in the team that includes Tamim Iqbal,
Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Naim Sheikh, Liton Kumar Das and Afif Hossain and
Soumya Sarkar.

According to the head coach Russell Domingo, they are ready to give
exposure to the youngsters at different phases in the tour.

”It is a young group of players. It shows the depth within our system.
Hopefully some of these players can make an impact to get into the World Cup
squad. It is not finalized yet,” Domingo said recently.

”Depending on how they do (whether team management will continue with the
young group of cricketers). If a player is out of his depth, we can’t keep
going with him. If a player has potential to develop, you have to run with
those players.

After this series, we have to keep our squad as small as possible. I think
we can play with a maximum of 16 or 17 players in the next couple of
series,” he said.

Even though Bangladesh is desperate to win the series against Pakistan,
Domingo said he is open to experiments.

“Guy like Soumya, who batted at No. 3 in India, may end up batting at No. 6
in Pakistan. Mahmudullah may bat at No 5. Afif might come up to No 3 or 4.
Shanto has finished his campaign well. The best players can play under any
conditions, in any positions,” Domingo added.

”It is a great opportunity for the young players to find new strings to
their game. I am excited by it. If a guy like Liton has to bat at No. 4 for a
game or two, that’s fine. If Mithun has to bat at No 3, that’s okay. If Afif
has to go from No. 6 to opening batsman, he has to learn to do those
things,” he added.

Captain Mahmudullah Riyad, whom Domingo advocated to give longer run as
captain in the T20 format at least, echoed the sentiment with the coach.

“I think the young players are desperate to show their credentials. There
is no Shakib and Mushfiqur in the team. So obviously some young players would
made the cut and they should use the opportunity to perform maximum,”
Mahmudullah said.

“I and Tamim have the big role to lead the side from the front but at the
same time, the youngsters should come up to show their mettle. If they can
perform to their potential, it will be really good for our cricket,” he
added.