Initial team without Shakib-Mustafiz April 23, 2024

The ICC T20 World Cup is not too late. There is a little over a month. This World Cup match will be between the West Indies and the United States. Before this, Bangladesh will play a five-match T20 series against Zimbabwe. The series will start on May 3. Not long. Yesterday, BCB announced the preliminary squad of 17 members for the preparation of this series. Many young cricketers including Mahmudullah are in this list. But Shakib Al Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman and Taizul are not. Mustafiz has been given leave to play in the IPL till May 1. As such he does not exist.

The main objective of announcing the preliminary squad is to test the team closely in the context of T20 matches. Yesterday, Chief Selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu said that the preparation camp will be held in Chittagong on April 26, 27 and 28. But it is not only the preparation camp for the Zimbabwe series. The T20 series against USA is ahead. After that, the World Cup. Bangladesh team will make final preparations for the coming days. Adding Shakib and Mustafiz to the 17-member team can make the final World Cup team from 19 players. Of course, someone new can join here due to injury or some other serious problem. Lipu said, ‘If there is an unfortunate instance, like an off-spinner getting injured, Mehdi Hasan Miraj is there. He has enough T20 experience, he also knows about the coach’s direction. One or two of those might be out (for now), who don’t really need it. (For the main team of the World Cup) you can basically say that this team will dominate.’

Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan are out of the Zimbabwe series from the start. The chief selector said that Mustafiz can play from the second match and Shakib can play at the end of the series. About Mustafiz, Lipu said, ‘He will come, he will have to go through the screening process of our medical team. Then have a conversation with him. Then we will try to understand. I think it may not be available in the first match. Shakib is in the US with his family. He will return later this month. After that he will play some Premier League matches. “Obviously we would like him to play at the end as there are 5 T20 matches,” Lipu said. He is not available at the beginning.’

Soumya Sarkar, who was injured in the last ODI against Sri Lanka, is in the initial squad. The chief selector explained the reason for keeping him in the team even though he is not fully recovered yet. ‘He is in the process of returning from injury. There too he will have a close observation. Trainers, physios will look after him. However, he will be with the team so that he can participate in the lectures that will be held from a strategic point of view.

Many youngsters are participating in the primary team under the leadership of captain Shanta. Parvez Hossain got the place. Rishad is also there. Saifuddin also returned after a long time. He came back from injury and performed well in BPL and Premier League. His batting is going great. However, Lipu said that bowling should be observed more. Apart from that Liton, Zaker Ali, Tawhid Hridiya are there. Mahmudullah is also in the initial squad as he has performed well in recent times.