Bangladesh Name Squad For Windies Tour
Kayes in for Sakib
Bangladesh Cricket Board on Thursday recalled opening batsman Imrul Kayes into the 15-man squad for the three-match one-day international series against West Indies next month. Kayes replaced all-rounder Sakib al Hasan, who is serving a six-month ban, imposed on him by the Bangladesh Cricket Board for what it said because of his ‘severe attitude problem.’
Sakib appealed against the ban last week and issued a rare public apology, but the BCB officials said his prayer could be considered in time for making him available for the West Indies tour.
It left the selectors in some serious dilemma as Sakib always plays dual role in the team.
‘It very difficult to replace a player of Sakib’s calibre,’ chief selector Faruk Ahmed told New Age.
‘He fills the role of two players – a batsman and a spinner. But we can take only one player in his place.
‘Finally we decided to take a batsman in his place as we felt we have enough back-up in spin bowling department with [Abdur] Razzak, Sohag [Gazi] in the side.
‘Imrul [Kayes] showed some good form in recent time. Also he can provide us a back up for our underperforming openers.
‘With Imrul, now we have nine batsmen in the squad, which means we have at least two batsmen as back-up. His inclusion also means we have at least four openers in the side. This will give the team some much-needed flexibility,’ said Faruk.
The chief selector is particularly worried about the form of opener Tamim Iqbbal, who scored just 94 runs in his last seven one-day internationals and could accumulate just 63 runs in seven ICC World Twenty20 matches.
Selectors also dropped all-rounder Ziaur Rahman and replaced him with paceman Rubel Hossain.
‘Considering the condition in West Indies we had to take an extra pacer anyway,’ said Faruk. ‘Also this tour is far away from home and in case of injury sending a replacement always takes some time. So we took Rubel for Zia.’
The first two ODIs will be held in Granada on August 20 and 22.
The third and final ODI will be held in St Kitts on August 25.
Bangladesh, who will reach West Indies on August 13, will also play a Twenty20 International and Two Tests in the series.
ODI Squad
Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Shamsur Rahman, Mominul Haque, Rubel Hossain, Nasir Hossain, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Mithun, Abdur Razzak, Mashrafee bin Murtaza, Sohag Gazi, Taskin Ahmed, Imrul Kayes and Al-Amin Hossain.
-With New Age input
