Uncapped Jubair in for injured Taskin
Selectors on Wednesday recalled off-spinner Sohag Gazi and added leg-spinner Jubair Hossain in Bangladesh’s 14-man squad for the two Twenty20 internationals against visiting South Africa scheduled in next week. Sohag did not play for Tigers since he was suspended from bowling for a flawed action in October last year. He was cleared to bowl in February after undergoing remedial work but a dip in form meant he did not regain his place in the squad.
The 24-year old off-spinner will take the place of injured Mahmudllah, who is still nursing a finger injury that forced him missing the recent home series against India.
‘We are looking for an option after Mahmudullah’s injury and he [Sohag] fulfils our requirement as an off-spinner,’ chief selector Faruk Ahmed told New Age.
It was learnt that selectors also considered former Under-19 captain Mahmudul Hasan, a middle-order batsman and decent off-spinner, for the vacant place of Mahmudullah.
But Sohag’s experience and the necessity of bolstering spin attack put him ahead.
‘It’s a dream come true, similar like my debut,’ an elated Sohag told New Age.
‘It was difficult to keep your focus but I was determined not to lose it. It had certainly made me stronger,’ said the off-spinner, recalling his time outside the national team.
‘At the same time it was helpful as I could get my remodeled bowling action into my head,’ he said.
Leg-spinner Jubair Hossain was given his maiden Twenty20 call up for injured paceman Taskin Ahmed.
Taskin is out for at least three weeks following a rib injury he suffered during a training session on June 23.
‘I have always said we make the team according to the condition and the strength of the opposition,’ said chief selector Faruk.
‘We were looking to make our spin attack stronger for South Africa series. ‘That’s why we took only three pacers this time and took Jubair in Taskin’s place.’
Jubair played four Tests and two one-day international for Bangladesh but is yet to make his Twenty20 debut.
He was in the squad for the third one-dayer against India but did not play the game.
The two Twenty20 matches against South Africa will be held at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on July 5 and 7.
The Proteas will also play three ODIs and two Tests during their month long sojourn in Bangladesh.
Twenty20 Squad
Mashrafee bin Murtaza (capt), Tamim lqbal, Liton Das, Rony Talukdar, Soumya Sarkar, Sakib al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Arafat Sunny, Jubair Hossain, Sohag Gazi, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman.
-With New Age input
