DHAKA, April 16, 2019 (BSS) – Bangladesh have emphasized on experience in selecting their 15-member squad for the forthcoming ICC Cricket World Cup, scheduled to begin on May 30 in England.
Shakib Al Hasan, who missed the New Zealand tour with a finger injury, has been named as the deputy of Mashrafe Bin Mortaza. The ace all-rounder sustained the injury during the final of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) that ruled him out of the entire tour of New Zealand.
He was given the no-objection certificate to play in the ongoing IPL but the premier all-rounder of Bangladesh has featured in only one game for Sunrisers Hyderabad so far.
While Shakib as expected is included in the team, replacing Mominul Haque, Mosaddek Hossain made a comeback and pacer Abu Jayed Rahi found his place due to his expertise to swing the ball, a thing that is considered as big weapon in English condition.
“We give emphasis on experience in the World Cup squad as it will be held in English condition,” Chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu said in a jam-packed press conference today. “It will be a different condition than the sub-continent.
Just one year back we have played in the ICC Champions Trophy so that was back in our mind before announcing the team.” Mosaddek and Jayed’s inclusion came as surprise to some extent given they weren’t in the plan of Bangladesh’s ODI fixture.
Mosaddek last played for Bangladesh in the Asia Cup in September 2018 while Jayed is considered as Test bowler. The chief selector said Mosaddek is included in the team as a back-up spin-all-rounder since Mahmudullah is unlikely to bowl considering his shoulder injury.
“During the New Zealand Test series, we saw that Jayed could swing the ball in both ways, a thing that we expect from our pace bowlers. As the tournament will be held in English condition and plus there is a tri-series in Ireland where there temperature will be pretty cold, so we thought of including an extra fast bowler who can swing the ball,” Minhajul explained.
‘Mossadek did well in domestic tournaments. We want an all-rounder who can bowl off-spin. Mahmudullah has a shoulder injury so he may not be able bowl over there. As a back-up spin all-rounder, we included Mosaddek.” There were no significant changes to the opening position and middle-order.
Even though he struggled in New Zealand, Tamim Iqbal is an automatic choice at the top of order while Liton Das would partner him. Liton, a wicket-keeper batsman struggled in the New Zealand ODIs, ending up with three consecutive scores of one. The selectors have persisted with the talented batsman ahead of Imrul Kayes, who has the experience of featuring in previous World Cups.
Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman secured spots in the 15-man squad despite their poor form in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL). They will line up with Mohammad Mithun’s recent batting form earned him a maiden World Cup call and experienced Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah in the middle order.
Mohammad Saifuddin and Mehidy Hasan also have received their maiden World Cup call-ups as both of them bring balance to the side with their all-round skills.
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, the captain, playing in his fourth and probably final World Cup, will lead the pace bowling attack which also includes Mustafizur Rahman – despite the left-arm pacer currently being sidelined with a sprained ankle, which in turn should keep him out for at least two weeks.
Rubel Hossain and Jayed were the other two pacers. While Rubel’s inclusion is expected, Jayed was picked ahead of Taskin Ahmed, who missed the New Zealand tour with a ligament injury. The 25-year old medium pacer has become a regular in Bangladesh’s Test plans but is yet to make his ODI debut.
“Taskin played the last ODI in October 2017 and it was a long break for him. When we thought him again in New Zealand series he sustained an injury once again. According to the reports we have, he is not fit,” Minhajul said. Bangladesh will start their preparations for the cricket’s biggest extravaganza on April 22 and the team is expected to leave for the UK in the first week of May.
The Tigers will begin their World Cup campaign against South Africa at the Kennington Oval on June 2. The BCB also announced a 17-man squad for the tri-nation series in Ireland which takes place ahead of the World Cup in May.
Batsman Yasir Ali and spinner Nayeem Hasan have been added to the lineup that included the 15 already named in the World Cup squad.
Bangladesh World Cup Squad:
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (capt), Liton Das, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Saifuddin, Abu Jayed Rahi, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Sabbir Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain. Bangladesh’s Squad for Tri-nation series: Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (capt), Liton Das, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Saifuddin, Abu Jayed Rahi, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Sabbir Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain, Yasir Ali, Nayeem Hasan.