CricketAll eyes on rookies
Sports Reporter
STUDY OF STRIKING CONTRAST: The Bangladesh team (L) scamper off the turf as the rain gods suddenly appear at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday. (R) A few hours ago, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori takes a much-needed breather while padding up during their practice session under the blazing morning sun at the same venue. Photo:
The national selectors announced a 12-member BCB XI side for tomorrow's limited-over practice match against New Zealand at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium.Middle-order batsman Rajin Saleh, who was recalled following the mass resignation of many national players, will lead the youthful side. The team was picked from the 24-member probables.The match was originally scheduled to be played at the BKSP ground but it has been shifted to Fatullah because of waterlogging at the sports institute following rain in the last few days.The focus will be on the young players as it is almost confirmed that few uncapped players will be included in the one-day side for the three-match series when the Rafiqul Alam-led selection panel announce the 14-member team today.
Left-arm seamer Syed Rasel has been declared fit and was included in the BCB XI side to play the lone practice match before the start of the series on October 9.On the other hand, bowling spearhead Mashrafe Bin Mortaza has been complaining of pain on his right knee but chief selector Rafiq however was little bothered with this."He (Mashrafe) is quite fine. He bowled one and a half hours during practice today in full rhythm," confirmed Rafiqul. And Shahadat Hossain was looking forward to see his new-ball partner, Mashrafe, bowling with full pace to give the team a brilliant start."It always helps me when he (Mashrafe) bowls well from one side.
And his good bowling is always important for the team. We are looking forward to continue our good job what we did in Australia in the last series," said Shahadat at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday."Our bowling was good in Australia and we want to continue it here. The first 20 overs is very important for us whether we bat or bowl. And now we need to bat well in the series," the lanky pacer added.Besides the young players, it would be a real test for opener Nafis Iqbal, who returned to the senior fold after more than two years gap, as the selector can understand his fitness level during the game."He was out of international cricket for long so understandably he has lack of fitness which means his level of fitness is not up to the mark.
He needs some time to achieve it," said the former national cricketer.The selectors have been facing big problems to find out a partner for left-handed opener Tamim Iqbal, the younger brother of Nafis, as Zunaed Siddiqui is also out of form. There is only another opening option for the selectors in the probables in uncapped Imrul Kayes.
SQUAD
Rajin Saleh (captain), Nafis Iqbal, Zunaed Siddiqui, Imrul Kayes, Shamsur Rahman, Tushar Imran, Mehrab Hossain, Enamul Haque, Nazmul Hossain, Syed Rasel, Dollar Mahmud and Sahagir Hossain.