Bangladesh-Zimbabwe 2nd ODI today
Skipper Sakib al Hasan is likely to get his preferred team when Bangladesh will play the second one-day international against Zimbabwe on Friday.
Sakib called the team selection for the first match into question saying he would have liked middle-order batsmen Roqibul Hassan and Naeem Islam to play for others as he thought they were better fielders.
Team sources said Roqibul could replace wayward Mohammad Ashraful while the inclusion of Naeem could cost Mahmudullah his place in the line-up.
Ashraful, making a comeback with the first game, was clean bowled for six when he attempted a late cut off a delivery from off-spinner Prosper Utseya only to be deceived by its turn.
It was similar to his dismissal in the Asian Games final that almost derailed the team, who were chasing their first ever gold medal in the history.
A late-order recovery saved Bangladesh’s blushes in Guangzhou, but the same did not happen in Dhaka as the hosts agonisingly fell nine runs short of a mediocre target.
Mahmudullah, the other player likely to get the axe, also had his share of blame for the heart-breaking defeat that came after Bangladesh’s incredible 4-0 series sweep against New Zealand, who are far superior side.
After rightly playing second fiddle to Sakib in their 54-run seventh-wicket partnership, Mahmudullah lost his patience and unnecessarily hoisted a catch at long-on to Chamu Chibhahba off Christopher Mpofu to be dismissed for 14.
The end of his 38-ball innings also ended Bangladesh’s hope largely as there was no other recognised batsman to support Sakib, who produced a gallant effort.
Mahmudullah had earlier claimed two wickets with his gentle off-spin, but his injudicious shot is basically costing him his place in the starting line-up.
If he gets dropped eventually, it will be his first
axing since he cemented his place in the team for all-format of the game with the West Indies tour in July 2009.
Zimbabwe in all probability will retain the squad that they fielded on Wednesday.
The second match will begin at 9:00am and will be aired live by the Bangladesh Television.
