DHAKA, – A couple of players may get a surprise call for the Bangladesh World Cup squad as the selection panel led by Minhajul Abedin Nannu has been in process to form the team.
According to the chief selector, the squad might be announced on April 18.
“It’s tough to say at the moment (whether there will be any surprise selection) but we are thinking about it,” Minhajul said. “We have been in discussion about it. Hopefully we’ll make the whole squad ready within a couple of day. There might be place for new faces, it might be one or two. You will get to know when we’ll announce the squad.”
“After the first two rounds of the Super League of DPL, we will complete the selection process. Hopefully we can announce the team on April 18.”
Bangladesh will play a tri-nation series in Ireland ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in England and Wales. Minhajul said the team will be pace-heavy, considering the English condition, where fast bowlers used to get extra mileage.
“I can’t comment on who will play. What only I can say that several players have been in our selection radar. Since the tri-nation series, World Cup will be played in English condition, a good number of pace bowlers can be seen in the team.”
The chief selector particularly looked happy after watching fast bowler Taskin Ahmed back in the action following an ankle injury that he sustained during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Taskin is considered one of the main weapons for Bangladesh in English condition.
Following a grueling rehab, Taskin played his first competitive cricket in a DPL match today against Uttara Sporting Club after Legends of Rupgang recruited him. He however went wicket-less after bowling five overs in which he conceded 36 runs.
“He is playing after a long time, so naturally it will take some times to get the rhythm. He will get some matches in Super League. He might need some more time to regain his full match fitness but since he has the talent, we have no doubt about him,” Minhajul said.
Pace bowling all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin is the other player on whom Minhajul kept faith. He is the only one amongst the current national players who showed consistency in both batting and bowling in the ongoing DPL. But it was reported that Saifuddin, the player of Abahani Limited is playing with an injury.
Minhajul ruled it out, saying that they didn’t get any report from the physio that Saifuddin is playing despite his injury.
“We didn’t get any report from the physio that he can’t play. Every player gets two week rest after coming from New Zealand but Saifuddin took lesser rest. That’s his matter, if he feels himself fit; there is no problem, he can play.”
