Photo: Firoz Ahmed
With Shakib Al Hasan named as the ODI captain yesterday, there was no obstruction left to announce the Bangladesh squad for the Asia Cup.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) later conveyed in a press release that it would announce the team in a press conference at 9:30 am today at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Earlier, BCB president Nazmul Hassan had informed the same while announcing the ODI skipper.
“I haven’t talked to selectors but from what I know they are supposed to give the squad tomorrow. They were facing an issue since announcing the squad without knowing who the captain will be, and without talking to the captain, would have been a problem,” Hassan told reporters at his residence yesterday.
While the Asia Cup squad was also likely to be the World Cup squad, BCB may have to detach itself from that ploy due to Tamim Iqbal’s injury as they try out openers alongside Liton Das.
BCB president also relayed that the Asia Cup squad is almost close to being sorted. He identified that four or five pacers would be picked along with three spinners.
Hassan also did not see much options in terms of tinkering with the available names that were called to the Asia Cup camp.
“We will take four pacers from the five we have or it could be that five pacers are included. We have to name a 17-member squad. Miraz is there [alongside Shakib] and we must take an extra spinner. Taijul and Nasum are available and since it’s limited-over format, Nasum has a better chance,” Hassan said.
Bar the usual names, the opening slot replacements for Tamim and the inclusion of Mahmudullah Riyad were the biggest questions hanging in balance following Shakib’s captaincy announcement. Riyad’s inclusion in the 2019 World Cup was previously questioned after a reported dressing room bust-up with Shakib.
With Shakib now in charge, whether Riyad’s chances of inclusion diminish is what is being debated in the country’s cricket fraternity. The board was supposed to name a 22-member squad initially but BCB president suggested a few players outside the 17-member squad he thought was probable. A member of the selection panel said they “would name as many players as is asked”.
“Afif [Hossain], Mahmudullah and Shamim [Hossain] are there [outside of the 17-member squad]. My 17-member [squad] is done. Maybe we may have to include them and Mosaddek [Hossain] is also there,” Hassan said.
In terms of new faces, the selectors had seen promise in Tanzid Hasan Tamim. Meanwhile, Soumya Sarkar or Mohammad Naim may also be up for inclusion as opening slot options.
