DHAKA, Aug 19, 2023 (BSS)-Bangladesh selector Habibul Bashar Sumon made it clear the selection panel is willing to see a fit Tamim Iqbal before the World Cup in India, considering his experience and performance.

While his keenness to see Tamim in the World Cup squad is obvious, it is apparently clear that they don't have any immediate plan to see Mahmudullah Riyad in the World Cup bound squad. 

Tamim and Mahmudullah, the two stalwarts of Bangladesh cricket are not in the upcoming Asia Cup team as the former was sidelined due to injury while the latter was dropped.

The selectors are no longer thinking about Mahmudullah in that sense as his batting reflexes have decreased as well as his fielding has become shaky of late.

"Tamim is working hard and it looks he is very keen to make a comeback. The enthusiasm he showed, I am confident of getting him back in the New Zealand series ahead of the World Cup. We indeed need Tamim very much for the World Cup. Tamim's experience, Tamim's performance is imperative as far as our World Cup plan is concerned," Bashar said here today.

But Bashar was tightlipped when he was reminded Mahmudullah is also experienced like Tamim.

"I think the question has been asked many times before. This issue has been cleared. It's good to think about the team that we have now for the Asia Cup and prepare our plans around them," he added. 
 
Mahmudullah was axed in the name of rest before the Ireland series following his inexplicable performance against England series at home. 

He was not even in the squad during the Afghanistan series. Towhid Hridoy who was brought into the team, replacing Mahmudullah, has done well so far to earn the faith of the team management.

However, another experienced cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim played in the position of Mahmudullah and also showed some good performance. With both Hridoy and Mushfiq doing well, it became difficult for Mahmudullah to come back. 

On the other hand, Tamim is considered as an opener and as of now, the team management doesn't get a proper substitute of him. 

But Bashar could not rule out Mahmudullah entirely, saying that still he has the chance to make his way back. 

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) plans to conduct a special camp with eight cricketers including Tamim and Mahmudullah.

The board has called this camp to prepare backup cricketers considering the World Cup. This camp starts tomorrow (Sunday).

"We still have two months before the World Cup. Many may have injury concerns at this time. Keeping everything in mind, we have a pool of 30-32 players and everyone is there for training. If needed, I mean if someone unfortunately gets injured, we want to make sure that we have a back up," he said.

"Since we don't have any domestic cricket now, nobody is playing cricket. So it is important to keep everyone is practice during this time. That is what is actually being planned."

Along with Tamim-Mahmudullah, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Mosaddek Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Shakib, Saif Hasan and Zakir Hasan are in this camp. 

Mahmudullah started training but stopped it after being dropped from the Asia Cup.