Chief selector Akram Khan observed that the performances in the just concluded BCB Cup opened up selection options for the upcoming home series against West Indies.
“I am not happy with the bowling performances but I must say, except two or three all the batsmen showed good signs during the competition. Some of them gave us food for thought regarding the selection (for the West Indies series). There are more options now,” said Akram.
All-rounder Alok Kapali was the centre of discussion after the tournament, especially following his scintillating innings in the final of the tournament but Akram was not fully satisfied with the right-hander’s performance.
“We have confidence in him (Kapali) because he is a quality player and that’s why we brought him to the camp. He looked good in the tournament, but honestly speaking he failed to fulfill our expectations. But I hope he will show much better performance in the future,” observed Akram.
The former national skipper was also impressed by the competitiveness among the players in the pre-season tournament, which however saw two matches spoiled due to rain.
“It was really a good initiative by the board. It was really encouraging for us, the way the players took the opportunity to prove their worth in the tournament and there was no shortage of competitiveness among the players,” he said, suggesting that the board should continue this kind of pre-season tournament.
He also believes that the players regained their confidence after their dismal performance in Zimbabwe where the Tigers lost both the one-off Test and five-match one-day series.
“It’s my observation that this tournament helped the players regain their confidence after the disastrous tour to Zimbabwe. The confidence was really low during the Zimbabwe tour,” said Akram.
He also informed that they will announce the national team after the four-day practice match which will start from September 26 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
“We are yet to receive guidelines about whether we are to announce separate teams for the T20, three one-dayers and two Tests, but I guess there would be three separate teams as we are the home side. We will announce the team after the four-day practice match,” informed Akram.
The players will get back to business tomorrow after a two-day break. The BCB had already announced a 23-member preliminary squad for the series against West Indies and three more players will be included from the academy side to split the team into two groups. Apart from the four-day match starting on September 26, the players will play two one-day matches — one at Mirpur on October 3 and the other at Fatullah on October 6, under the banners of Red and Green.
-With The Daily Star input
