World Cup backup options to be tried in upcoming series

The Asia Cup is slated to be played in September right before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and BCB president Nazmul Hassan today informed that the squad for the Asia Cup will also be going to the World Cup in India.

The World Cup is slated to be played between October-November this year and sandwiched between the Asia Cup and the World Cup is the three-match ODI series against New Zealand at home. The Ireland home series is coming up in March before Bangladesh also play Ireland in England. A home series against Afghanistan in June-July is also in the agenda and BCB president said that a few players maybe rested for these series to see new players.

Bangladesh will get a few opportunities to test out squad strength ahead of the World Cup and the BCB president wanted the team to have options available for injuries.

"Let's say that someone gets injured [ahead of the World Cup] for instance an opener, a middle or lower-middle order player and we need to look for players in that position.

"We have a new coach, so will he play those he hasn't seen before?

"So it [resting players and trying new players] will happen in the two series before the Asia Cup and the World Cup. We may rest one or two players in these two series to see a new player. It doesn't mean the rested player will be excluded but to see what the available replacements are," the BCB president said following the 50-run win in the dead rubber third ODI today.

The BCB president also remarked that the Asia Cup squad will also be the World Cup squad.

"The team announced for the Asia Cup will be the World Cup squad," he said.