Soumya, Taskin axed from ODI team
Fizz returns as BCB announces squad for first two Tri-nation matches
Sports Reporter
Bangladesh have made as many as five changes to their ODI squad from the disastrous South Africa tour as the selectors announced the 16-member squad for the first two matches of the tri-nation series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
As expectedly fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman is back into the team along with batsmen Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mohammad Mithun, left arm spinner Sunzamul Islam and fast bowler Abu Hasan Raju, the quartet who got selection nod on the back of their superb domestic performance.
Axe was fallen on fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed, Shafiul Islam, batsmen Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das and Mominul Haque. While Taskin, Soumya and Liton Das played the ODI series in South Africa, Mominul and Shafiul didnt get any match.
There is no doubt about the enormous talent of Soumya and Taskin but the thing is that they havent been in good form for a quite long time. We think they need some breathing space, a quality back, which will help them regain their form, chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu explained the reason behind the axe of the duo after announcing the team.
They need to play some domestic matches. Hopefully they will back into the groove very soon.
It was the first time for Soumya and Taskin to have been dropped from the team due to the performance while Liton lost his place soon after regaining it in South Africa.
Liton has always been considered as the Test match player. But we kept him in the squad of South Africa ODI series because he was there long time and thereby acclimatized to the condition. The same case was applied to Mominul Haque. Because of playing Test series, he adjusted to the condition. So we thought we shouldnt send any new player. Moreover Tamim has injury scare and thats why we kept Mominul as back-up.
Since his last international match in November 2015, Anamul has made the most runs in all domestic formats. His recent double-century in the National Cricket League first-class competition put him ahead of other heavy scorers. Mithun, since his last ODI in June 2014, has also been one of the top ten run-scorers across formats in domestic cricket. His role in Rangpur Riders winning the BPL worked in his favour. Anamul and Mithun are among the three wicketkeepers in the squad though the chief selector, said that Mushfiqur Rahim remains Bangladeshs first-choice wicketkeeper.
Anamul and Mithun scored heavily in the domestic circuit, specially in the last two years. It was tough to ignore their performance. Sunzamul was also in the consideration even though there were some good spinners in the domestic circuit. But he maintained his consistency and forced his case stronger, Nannu clarified.
Anamul and Mithun have the reputation of good fielders too. So its not a problem if they field. But Mushfiqur remains as our main choice as the keeper, he said.
Abul Hasan Raju might consider as a surprise pick but like Mithun, Rajus BPL performance boosted his chances.
The chief selector also talked about Mosaddek Hossain Siakat, a player, considered as one of the most talented players that country has ever seen.
He was just back into the action after his eye problem. But he wasnt up to the mark in the BPL. We think he needs some more time to get back his best. Hopefully, he will comeback strongly after the BCL, he informed.
Squad for first two ODIs: Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (capt), Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Nasir Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Mohammad Mithun, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Abul Hasan Raju, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Saifuddin, Sunzamul Islam.
