|| CF Correspondent ||

Bangladesh pace bowler Taskin Ahmed’s induction in the 15-member World Cup squad received a severe blow as Bangladesh Cricket Board included him for the 30-member elite camp on Sunday.

The camp that began at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium is formed with cricketers who had done well in the just concluded Dhaka Premier League in order to prepare them for the upcoming home series against Afghanistan A.

During the last couple of days there were rounds of talk regarding the inclusion of Taskin after certain media reported he is all set to replace Abu Jayed in the 15-member World Cup squad of Tigers.      

Though on the following day BCB president Nazmul Hasan stated that they are yet to take any decision regarding Taskin as far as his inclusion in the 15-member World Cup squad is concerned while he added that it would be unfair if they dropped Jayed without giving him proper opportunities.

It came despite the fact head coach Steve Rhodes and skipper Mashrafee is backing Taskin, who could not make a cut in the WC squad due to injury crisis.

However, if BCB plan of action is taken into consideration it looks quite clear that Taskin is unlikely to make it into the squad unless someone need to be replaced due to injury.

Though selector Habibul Bashar remained tight lipped about the ongoing saga surrounding Taskin he clearly stated they are nursing the cricketers in the camp to prepare them for the upcoming assignments of Bangladesh A team. “Bangladesh A team have some tours in near future. I think we’ll get players for A team from this camp. This camp will make them ready to take more challenges,” BCB selector Habibul Bashar said    

The elite squad also included Farhad Reza along with Taskin for the series of Bangladesh `A’ against Afghanistan at their own den. Former coach of Bangladesh Under-19 Cricket team Mizanur Rahman will look after the batting side, veteran spinning coach Wahidul Gani will work with the spinners while former national pacer Talha Jubair will look after pace bowlers with the support of Sri Lankan Champaka Ramanayeke.

“The camp is for the players who did well in the premier league. I think it is a great idea to conduct this kind of camps. It will surely help the guys to be fit and ready for the upcoming challenges,” Mizanur Rahman said while talking to reporters at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday