Bangladesh have announced their 15-man squad for the World Cup 2019, with pacer Abu Jayed being named despite having no experience of the One Day Internationals. Also in the list is all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who missed the New Zealand tour due to a finger injury. The 32-year-old has been named the vice-captain of the team.
The all-rounder picked up his finger injury during the final of Bangladesh Premier League, subsequently ruling him out of the entire New Zealand tour. Following his recovery, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) was issued and Hasan returned to his franchise team Hyderabad for the on-going Indian T20 League.
Unable to get enough games, Shakib recently invited his personal coach Mohammad Salahuddin to India in order to keep him ready for the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Jayed, 25, was part of Bangladesh’s squad for the New Zealand tour and impressed one and all with his outstanding bowling skills. As of now, the 25-year-old has played five Tests and three T20Is, scalping 15 wickets in total.
Prior to the announcement, the Bangladesh cricket team had several injury issues to take note of. Starman, Mahmudullah injured his ligament during the New Zealand series, while Mustafizur Rahman also sustained an ankle issue while playing in the Dhaka Premier League. Rubel Hossain, on his part, has been struggling with side sprain as well. All three names, however, have made it to the squad.
A surprising inclusion in the squad though has been of Mosaddek Hossain. A useful option in bowling as well, the 23-year-old’s spot was in jeopardy given that his last ODI came in the 2018 Asia Cup.
Bangladesh will start their preparation camp for the tournament on April 22 and the team will leave for the UK in early May. They are scheduled to play a tri-nation tournament in Ireland from May 5-17.
The World Cup will be held in the UK from May 30 to July 14 with Bangladesh starting their campaign against South Africa at the Oval on June 2.
Bangladesh Squad: Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan (VC), Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Sabbir Rahman, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Mithun, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mosaddek Hossain, Abu Jayed
