Selectors on Thursday picked uncapped wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Mithun and paceman Taskin Ahmed in Bangladesh 15-man squad for the three-match one-day international series against India. Mithun played a Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka earlier this year but was not selected for the subsequent Asia Cup and ICC World Twenty20.Rookie pace bowler Taskin impressed in his Twenty20 debut match against Australia in the World Twenty20, picking up a wicket for 24 runs after playing as a replacement for injured Mashrafee bin Murtaza.
‘We have kept more or less a settled squad but it is also important to get an idea about the kind of back-up we have in our hands as we start preparing for the ICC World Cup in Australia-New Zealand,’ a Bangladesh Cricket Board media release quoted chief selector Faruque Ahmed as saying.
‘Mithun has been on our radar for a while. He has performed consistently in the limited-over format and in the longer version as well over the last couple of years and deserves a chance at international level.
‘Taskin is an exciting prospect and has already played a Twenty20 International. We thought it was a good opportunity to see how he performs in the 50-over game in home conditions against some quality batsmen,’ said Faruque.
Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal, who missed Bangladesh’s last one-day competition, Asia Cup, also returned to the side.
Imrul Kayes, Arafat Sunny, Naeem Islam, Shafiul Islam and Rubel Hossain, who were all parts of the injury-marred Asia Cup campaign, have been excluded from the squad.
Of them, Rubel was a surprise omission given his some match-winning performances in the not-so-distant past.
But with Taskin joining Al-Amin Hossain and Mashrafee, Faruque said they had little choice.
‘Al Amin has bowled impressively since his debut and Mashrafee is our most experienced campaigner. We also have a seam bowling all-rounder in Ziaur Rahman. Because of these pace options and squad balance Rubel Hossain misses out.
India announced a youthful side that excluded at least seven senior cricketers. Left-handed batsmen Suresh Raina will lead the team, which will arrive on June 13.
The three ODIs – all day-night affairs – are scheduled at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on June 15, 17 and 19.
Squad
Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Shamsur Rahman, Mominul Haque, Sakib al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Mithun, Abdur Razzak, Mashrafee bin Murtaza, Sohag Gazi, Ziaur Rahman, Al-Amin Hossain and Taskin Ahmed.
-With New Age input
