Uncapped Naeem gets call for first Test
Selectors aim to strengthen spin department
Sports Reporter
Unheralded off-spinner Naeem Hasan has been named in the 14-member Test squad for the first Test of the two-Test series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the series which will start in Chittagong on January 31.
Naeem, who currently is in New Zealand with Bangladesh Under-19 cricket team for playing the ongoing ICC Under-19 World Cup, even though youth Tigers mission has been almost finished after losing to India by 131 runs in the quarter-final. Now they will play only place-deciding match against England on Sunday before returning home from New Zealand.
This time the selectors may also take a calculative risk by Naeem Hasan against Sri Lanka.
Naeem, meanwhile, played Emerging Cup from Under-19. Chittagong-born lad, who turns 17, already played two matches in BPL for Chittagong Vikings and eight matches in List-A tournament.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu gave an explanation to media for including off-spinner Naeem Hasan in the 14-man squad for the opening Test.
As the series will be held in home soil, weve furnished our squad considering that in mind. Along with that, the performance of the last South Africa series has been evaluated. Actually, all things have been calculated before preparing our squad, said Minhajul Abedin Nannu.
Weve given our main focus especially on spin. We had needed another off-spinner. So, weve included Under-19 spinner Naeem Hasan as an uncapped player, said Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu.
Naeem is talented player. Hopefully he will fare well and could give a long service in the national team, Nannu added.
Rookie Mehedi Hasan Miraz was named and later debuted against top-flight England by the selectors in 2006.
Naeem has capability to consistently bowl well. He did well in U-19 World Cup. If selectors give him chance to play at the age of 17, he will be the thirst youngest player in Bangladesh after Talha Jubair and Enamul Haque Junior.
The squad also sees the return of right-arm quick Kamrul Islam Rabbi and spinning all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, who missed out on the South Africa series with eye infection.
Weve brought Kamrul Islam Rabbi back as he has capability to swing with the old ball. Actually, weve taken him in that consideration, the chief selector said of fast bowler Kamrul Islam.
Mosaddek Hossain Saikat missed out on the South Africa series because of his eye infection. After returning from injury-layoff, Saikat played Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL), whereby he smashed century for Prime Bank South Zone against Islami Bank East Zone. Hell do well at home condition, Minhajul also said of Saikat.
The major surprise was the exclusion of Sabbir Rahman Rumman, who has been a regular soldier of the Bangladesh team. His performance even in the Tri-nation series is not up to the mark.
Apart from Rumman, fast-bowlers Taskin Ahmed, Subhasish Roy, Shafiul Islam along with opener Soumya Sarkar who were with the team at the time of the South Africa tour, have been dropped out of the opening Test because to the condition as well as their poor performance.
Weve emphasized more on our spin in the series what we have played at home yard. For this, we have kept him as a back-up spinner, Nannu told in response to a query.
Comparing with Miraz, Naeem may be played no more matches than Miraz. But he is now in our programme. So, the quality he has, we think, he will do well.
Bangladesh Test squad: Shakib Al Hasan (C), Mahmudullah Riyad (VC), Tamim Iqbal, Litton Kumer Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Rubel Hossain and Naeem Hasan.
