(AP Photo)
Curated by the National Selection Panel, the team comprises a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers.
In a recent update, Bangladesh’s veteran wicketkeeper-batsman, Mushfiqur Rahim, aged 37, has been named in the 21-player lineup for the Bangladesh Tigers Program, which is scheduled to kick off on Sunday, May 26. Mushfiqur sustained a right thumb contusion while keeping during the final ODI of the Sri Lanka series, forcing him to miss the subsequent two-match Test series. However, approximately a month later, he made a comeback to cricket by joining Prime Bank in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, where he showcased remarkable form by amassing 380 runs across seven matches.
The training camp will see 21 players participating in intensive conditioning and strategic discussions at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. Moreover, it will be conducted in stages at different locations, including Sylhet and Chittagong. This camp will play a crucial role in offering players an important opportunity to refine their skills and enhance their mental resilience in preparation for the challenges ahead.
‘We did not know about wife expecting child, he did not inform us about anything’ – Chief selector on Rahim
During a press briefing at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Saturday, Gazi Ashraf Hossain, the chief selector of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), informed reporters that Mohammad Saifuddin, the bowling all-rounder, hadn’t informed anyone about his wife’s pregnancy, leading him to request leave from the secondary program. Hossain noted that had Saifuddin accompanied the team to the US, he would have undoubtedly participated in the T20 matches against the US.
“We were unaware of the situation as he didn’t communicate anything to us, and typically, we’re informed in advance about any injuries or unavailability. I believe had he joined, he would have fulfilled his national duty. As this is a secondary program (Tigers), he requested leave,” Hossain stated, as reported by Cricbuzz.
Additionally, Hossain elaborated that they had chosen six players to train with the white ball as contingency options in case of unforeseen circumstances affecting the 15-member squad. Khaled Ahmed was selected to stand in for Saifuddin, who would rejoin the group on June 10. Anamul Haque and Nurul Hasan were designated as extra wicketkeeping options due to a minor injury concern regarding Jaker Ali.
Furthermore, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz were included among the six designated players. Additionally, he mentioned that Nasum Ahmed had informed them the previous evening about his unavailability for the initial four to five days due to jaundice.
“We’ve selected six players for the white-ball format as reserves for the World Cup squad. Anamul Haque has been chosen, and we’ve also included Sohan (Nurul Hasan) as a backup for Jaker’s issue. Initially, we had Saifuddin, but now Khaled fills that spot, with Saifuddin expected to rejoin on June 10. Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, and Mehedy Hasan are also part of the backup list. Nasum informed us last night about his condition, stating he won’t be available for the first four to five days due to jaundice,” Hossain concluded.
