The Bangladesh Cricket Board on Saturday named a star-studded A team for the West Indies tour which will begin later this month. Batsman Nasir Hossain will lead the team during the tour featuring two four-day matches, three one-dayers and two Twenty20 matches. Middle-order batsman Naeem Islam was named his deputy. The team, which also includes Imrul Kayes, Shamsur Rahman, Mominul Haque and Sohag Gazi among others, is expected to leave on May 20.
Promising opening batsman Abdul Majid, left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman, in-form left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan were also included in the squad.
‘It would be a good opportunity for the national team members ahead of
the senior team’s tour of West Indies,’ said captain Nasir Hossain.
Nasir also dismissed the suggestion that a break from ceaseless cricket for months would have been more useful for the national players than touring the West Indies.
‘Actually we have had some breaks already as we don’t need to play cricket all the years,’ said Nasir. ‘After the World Cup (ICC World Twenty20) we had been resting for nearly one-and-a-half months.’
The BCB did not announce the names of the touring officials. However, sources said there is strong chance that outgoing national team batting coach Corey Richards will accompany the side as head coach.
Richards resigned from his position earlier this month, but he has still two months left as notice period, which, sources said the BCB wants to cash in on.
All the matches of the tour will be held at Barbados.
Itinerary
May 22: Bangladesh A team arrive in West Indies
May 26-29: First four-day match at Barbados
June 2-5: Second four-day match at Barbados
June 8: First one-day match at Barbados
June 10: Second one-day match at Barbados
June 12: Third one-day match at Barbados
June 14: First Twenty20 match at Barbados
June 15: Second Twenty20 match at Barbados
June 16: Bangladesh A team depart West Indies
-With New Age input
