Shakib Al Hasan is included in the 16-member squad as the captain of Bangladesh in Nidahas Trophy, the tri-nation T20 International series against India and Sri Lanka in Colombo but he may be available for a couple of matches as he continues to recover from a finger injury.
The selection-panel led by Minhajul Abedin Nannu indeed was supposed to announce 15-member squad but doubt over Shakib’s fitness prompted them to recall spinning all-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraj and expanded the squad.
BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon however said Shakib’s availability will depend on subject to the fitness and according to him he may play just one or two matches. The president at the same time announced Mahmudullah as the deputy of Shakib.
| Walsh to act as head coach for SL tourney |
He also said pace bowling coach Courtney Walsh will act as the head coach for this particular series while Khaled Mahmud Sujon who was the technical director in Bangladesh last home series will return to his usual role as team manager.
“If Mahmud goes to Sri Lanka with the team, he will be the team manager as he was in the past. I don’t talk to him as of now but I think he will stay with the team,” Papon said.
“Courtney Walsh will be the head coach for just this series since we didn’t get any head coach as of now. Mahmudullah led the T20 team in absence of Shakib in the last series and he will continue the role in absence of Shakib.”
Papon said Mashrafe turned down the offer of breaking his retirement from the T20 format despite a plea.
"I told him personally to play in the previous series but he didn't show any interest. This time we sent him word and he must have heard it in the media. As far as I know, he has turned us down again."
However there were several changes to the squad that was beaten by Sri Lanka in February, notably the return of fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, Nurul Hasan Sohan and off-spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraj. Those missing out were Zakir Hasan, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Mithun, Mahedi Hasan and Mohammad Saifuddin. Amongst the five new faces who called up in the T20 series against Sri Lanka, only Abu Jayed Rahi and Arfiul Haque retained their place.
Chief selector Minhajul Abedin said the decision to try out youngsters was in line with preparing a strong group for the next World T20. "We are still not up to the mark in T20s. We want to prepare an 18-member pool for the 2020 World T20s, which is why we picked some of them in the home series (earlier this month) after they did well in the BPL."
Opener Imrul Kayes also returned to the squad which sparked debate since he averaged just 9.15 in 14 T20Is over eight years. Minhajul justified the selection by citing the importance of having an experienced batsman in conditions that "where fast bowlers will be a dominating factor."
The chief selector also faced the similar question over the inclusion of Sabbir Rahman who has had a wretched recent run, managing scores of 10,2,0,1 and 1 in his last five international outings.
"He has the most runs in T20s in the last year. He has the experience. We have considered him because we are playing against two experienced sides away from home. I am hopeful because he was also picked in the PSL."
According to Minhajul, Taskin's selection was largely Shakib's call as he insisted on having an out-and-out fast bowler owing to conditions at R Premadasa Stadium which is bigger in size.
"The captain said that since we are playing in Premadasa where the ground is large and we need someone quick, we picked Taskin Ahmed who has the ability to bowl yorkers and bouncers," he said. "Among all the fast bowlers in Bangladesh, Taskin is the fastest. The team management has a plan for him."
Bangladesh squad: Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Haider Rony, Abu Jayed Rahi, Ariful Haque, Nazmul Islam, Nurul Hasan, Mehedi Hasan.