All doubts over Shakib removed as BCB announce 15-member squad
Photo - BCB
|| CF Correspondent ||
Bangladesh received a huge boost ahead of the Asia Cup as the uncertainty around Shakib Al Hasan's availability for the tournament was quashed on Thursday (August 30) when the Bangladesh Cricket Board included him in the 15-member squad.
There were speculations about the star all-rounder's likability to undergo a surgery on his injured finger during the same time as the multi-team tournament, but it now looks like that the surgery has been postponed.
The animosity had heightened when board president Nazmul Hasan openly questioned Shakib's decision to undergo the surgery during the Asia Cup. Later, Nazmul reversed his stance and left the decision to the star all-rounder. Shakib had sustained the injury during the tri-nation series involving Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in Bangladesh earlier this year.
“I have spoken with him[ Sakib al Hasan] in Madina and he said that he will do the operation after the Asia Cup,” said Nazmul.
“I asked him that if it is possible, then he should do the operation after the Asia Cup during the series against Zimbabwe. I feel that it will be more challenging than the Asia Cup.
“Shakib is expected to join in September,” he added.
The all-rounder left the country for the USA on Thursday, after returning from Hajj yesterday.
Mashrafe Mortaza, who charmingly turned the fortunes around for Bangladesh in the ODI series of the West Indies tour after they had been ruthlessly smashed in the preceding Test series, will look to carry the good form into the Asia Cup, a tournament where they have reached the finals two out of the last three times.
Bangladesh made three changes to the squad that defeated the Windies 2-1 in the recently concluded ODI series. It is being speculated that all-rounder Sabbir Rahman has been dropped on disciplinary grounds after he landed himself in hot water for allegedly abusing a fan on social media.
“Sabbir has been called by the disciplinary committee,” said Nazmul.
“Naturally, he is not in the squad there as is an impact of his [off-field issues],” he said.
Bangladesh have also left Anamul Haque and Abu Jayed out. Anamul's form ditched him in the three-match series where he returned only 33 runs.
The other notable inclusion is of Ariful Haque who will line up to make his first ODI appearance. He was a part of the T20I unit that defeated the hosts 2-1.
The Tigers will kickstart their campaign on the first day of the Asia Cup as they will take on Sri Lanka on September 15.
Bangladesh Squad for Asia Cup
Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Shakib Al Hasan (vc), Tamim Iqbal, Mohammad Mithun, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Ariful Haque, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Nazmul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Haider Rony
