BCB announces 15-member squad for ICC T20 World Cup
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 International World Cup to be held in October-November in the United Arab Emirate (UAE) and Oman.
Among the selected players, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Naim, Shamim Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mahedi Hasan and Nasum Ahmed have been included in a World Cup squad for the first time.
Minhazul Abedin, the chief selector of the national cricket team, announced the squad at a press conference at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Thursday.
The chief selector hoped at the press conference that the team, consists of a mix of experienced and young players, will do well in the World Cup.
"We the selectors are quite confident about this team," he said.
Bangladesh squad: Mahmudullah (capt), Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Naim, Nurul Hasan, Shamim Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Mahedi Hasan and Nasum Ahmed
“We have won three series in a row. On the centenary of Bangabandhu's birth, we have won all the series of white ball cricket at home. We want to maintain this consistency in the World Cup. I hope the team will do well.”
The confidence that the team has developed with consecutive wins will help in the World Cup, Minhazul added.
The chief selector further said, “Wins are important regardless of any format. Winning boosts the team’s confidence all the time. If you lose, there will be a possibility of mental breakdown. The habit of winning and self-confidence will be useful for the team.”
However, the question is how useful the series against Australia and New Zealand will be in Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
Minhazul said in reply, “We have never played in Oman. The game plan will be finalised after the team reaches there. It is difficult to say anything in advance about the preparations until the team reaches there.”
The chief selector also rued the unavailability of experienced Tamim Iqbal, “Tamim is one of our best players across the formats. We were hopeful of getting him in the World Cup. But we did not get him. We will miss him. However, it is also a chance for the rest of the openers to shine on the biggest platform.”
Bangladesh squad
Mahmudullah (capt), Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Naim, Nurul Hasan, Shamim Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Mahedi Hasan and Nasum Ahmed.
Reserves: Aminul Islam and Rubel Hossain