Bangladesh Cricket Board on Friday announced a strong 15-member squad for the forthcoming Asian Games with uncapped all-rounder Mukter Ali being the only surprise inclusion in the touring party. Selectors opted to have the best possible squad for the Twenty20 meet and packed the squad with as many as seven all-rounders including Mukter, a medium pacer, who made his name by hitting world record 16 sixes in a first-class innings last year.
‘We looked to form the squad with multi-skilled players as they are best suited for the Twenty20 format,’ selector Minhajul Abedin told New Age. ‘In this format you need to have cricketers capable of contributing with both bat and ball.
‘So we decided to give Mukter a go as he is also capable of batting down the order,’ said Minhajul.
Mukter was understandably elated by his first call-up to the national team, though the matches in the Asian Games will not be considered as official Twenty20 Internationals.
‘I missed the last Asia Cup due to a finger injury,’ said Mukter. ‘I am determined not to miss the party this time. If there is any scope to contribute I am determined to give my best shot,’ he said.
The Bangladesh squad for the Games has seen four changes from the Bangladesh team that is currently on tour in West Indies to play three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 International.
Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim took a leave for his wedding while the selectors overlooked Mominul Haque, Abdur Razzak and Rubel Hossain. All-rounders Sabbir Rahman, Shubhagata Hom, Mukter Ali and left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny took their places.
Hom, who played four ODIs, returned to the squad after two years having played his last international match in 2011. A hard-hitting batsman Hom is also a decent off-spinner which contributed to his selection, said Minhajul.
The captain of the team was not announced for the tournament, scheduled from September 19 to October 4 in Incheon, South Korea.
Pace bowler Mashrafee bin Murtaza is expected to lead the team at the Games in the absence of regular captain Mushfiq as he is expected to tie the knot on September 27.
Opening batsman Imrul Kayes, who is not considered as a Twenty20 material, also has been given a nod thanks to his new-found attacking instinct that already paid the left- rich dividends.
‘Recently Imrul has turned out to be an attacking batsman unlike the past and that is why we took him,’ said Minhajul.
South Korea, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka have made their entries in men’s cricket.
Bangladesh secured a gold medal four years ago when they beat Afghanistan in the final. The Tigers stand a good chance of retaining the gold as the two regional powerhouses, India and Pakistan, decided not to send their men’s team in the Incheon Games.
Part of the reason for them not to send their teams is because the Asian Games fixture clashes with the schedule of Champions League Twenty20 Tournament, which will be held from September 13 to October 4.
SquadS
Men’s
Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Shamsur Rahman, Imrul Kayes, Shubhagata Hom, Nasir Hossain, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Mithun, Sabbir Rahman, Arafat Sunny, Mashrafee bin Murtaza, Sohag Gazi, Mukter Ali, Taskin Ahmed, Al-Amin Hossain.
Women’s
Rumana Ahmed, Shaila Sharmin, Lata Mondol, Khadiza Tul Kubra, Fargana Haque, Salma Khatun, Panna Ghosh, Nuzhat Tasnia, Jahanara Alam, Ayesha Rahman, Fahima Khatun, Sanjida Islam, Sharmin Akter Supta, Shohaly Akther, Shahnaz Parvi
-With New Age input
