Bangladesh team management went for a mix of youth and experience as they named the World Cup squad yesterday, with the biggest fallout from the announcement being the absence of veteran Tamim Iqbal due to injury concerns.

The other telling selection was the return of Mahmudullah Riyad. Mahmudullah himself had fitness concerns, with particular attention drawn to his declining athletic abilities on the field.

The 37-year-old, who crossed 5,000 ODI runs in the third match against New Zealand yesterday, impressed the selectors enough in his comeback series to be included for what would be his fourth appearance in cricket's biggest event.

However, question after question was posed to chief selector, Minhajul Abedin Nannu, regarding Tamim's exclusion during the squad announcement. The selection panel felt that they took Tamim's achievements into account before excluding him but they felt the risk of carrying an injured player would outweigh the rewards.

With the 34-year-old Tamim, with over 8,000 runs in ODI cricket, out of the picture, the team management went for a young face for the opening slot.

Youngster Tanzid Hasan Tamim, who made 34 runs in five innings so far since getting the opportunity to play in the Asia Cup, had impressed enough with his strokeplay. A number of openers were tried out before the World Cup, with Mohammad Naim featuring heavily but while he got starts at the Asia Cup, he did not capitalise with big knocks. In the end, Tanzid got the nod despite his inexperience.

"We have seen a number of openers. Tanzid was in our HP unit. He did well in the Emerging Cup. He is just getting a few opportunities [on the international stage]. We are hoping he can show his worth with more opportunities in the World Cup," came Minhajul's reply yesterday at the press conference.

Aside Mahmudullah, the other two veterans in the squad are skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim. Najmul Hossain Shanto will be Shakib's deputy at the World Cup, his ongoing purple patch with the bat ushering him onto the role, while another youngster Tawhid Hridoy would continue as a key batter in the showpiece event.

Despite the dramatic atmosphere ahead of the squad announcement, the 15-member squad did not have much of a surprise factor. The Tigers included five pacers, a much-debated topic among the BCB think-tank ahead of the squad selection.

Without Tamim in the squad, Mehedi Hasan Miraz may now likely be the backup opener and it opened up a spot for bringing in a fifth pacer into the squad. Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who impressed against India in the Asia Cup, got the nod ahead of pacer Khaled Ahmed. The other regulars of the pace attack -- Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud and Shoriful Islam -- all made the squad as expected.

Miraz, Nasum Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan would provide the spin options at the World Cup, with Mahmudullah also carrying part of the responsibility. In absence of a genuine number seven, Bangladesh eventually decided in favour of Mahedi, who put in an all-round performance in the Asia Cup game against India.

Bangladesh team are scheduled to fly to India this afternoon and before their World Cup opener against Afghanistan on October 07, the Tigers will play two warm-up matches against Sri Lanka and England on September 29 and October 02, respectively, in Guwahati.