NZ squad still up for discussion?

Impressed by performances of certain local players in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon has said that one or two additional performers from the BPL may be included in Bangladesh's preparatory squad for the New Zealand series.

The BCB have already announced a 22-member preliminary squad for its preparatory camp in Australia, set to begin on December 10, and for its tour of New Zealand in December. However, the likes of Shahriar Nafees, Mehedi Maruf and Nasir Hossain, players who have been doing well in the ongoing BPL, have not been included in that squad.

Speaking to reporters at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong yesterday, Papon said that he had spoken to the selectors, the coach and the chairman of cricket operations regarding the issue.

“The biggest achievement for us is that the local players are playing well. Mushfiqur [Rahim] is scoring runs again, Tamim [Iqbal] is doing well too. Among the older players, Shahriar Nafees and Mehedi Maruf are playing well.

“Having seen this I have already conveyed my message to our coach and the selectors and I have also spoken to Akram Khan from cricket operations. I have told them that we will send additional players if required. I have spoken to them and asked them to think about how the good performers from the BPL can be included in the squad,” said Papon.

“There may be changes in the squad or some additional players may go. Nothing has been confirmed as yet. My understanding is that one or two players may be included. They [team management] haven't confirmed anything with me yet,” he added.

The president's statement yesterday came as a surprise since head coach Chandika Hathurusingha during an exclusive interview with The Daily Star earlier this month had said that the performances of the players in the BPL would not affect Bangladesh's tour of New Zealand. 

When Hathurusingha was asked if the BPL would be important in deciding the teams for the New Zealand series, he said: “No. If you wait to plan till the last minute, you fail. The players can enjoy their cricket, but there is nothing to do with BPL.”