Bangladesh announce squad for U19 World Cup

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the squad for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup which is set to begin on January 13, 2018 in New Zealand.

In a press conference, attended by coach Damien Wright and four of the junior selectors, the squad for the World Cup was announced.

Shakhawat Hossain, who was part of the squad during the recently concluded Asia Cup in Malaysia did not make the squad for the U19 World Cup. Tipu Sultan, who recently became the highest wicket taker in first division has been added in his place. There are no other changes to the setup from the U19 Asia Cup.

The squad will depart for New Zealand on December 26 and begin their preperations for the January 13 tournament. The young Tigers will play three matches against provincial teams before they take on Afghanistan and Pakistan in two ICC official practice matches.

The Bangladesh squad setup included seven batsman, two wicket-keeper's, who can also bat, four paceman and two spinners.

Coach Damien Wright was happy with the squad the selectors put up. "I am really confident with the group we have assembled."

Bangladesh U19 had some concerns in the batting department, especially after home series against Afghanistan and Nepal. Wright suggested that the players are among the runs and that is a positive.

"I think we are in a fantastic place (with our batting). So the batting side of things is nowhere near my concern now."

Saif Hassan, who captained the team in the Asia Cup is going to lead the young Tigers in the World Cup.

Squad: Pinak Ghosh, Md Naim Sheikh, Mohammed Saif Hassan(capt.), Afif Hossain Dhrubo(vice capt.), Md, Towhid Ridoy, Aminul Islam Biplob, Md Rakib, Mahidul Islam(wk), Shakil Hossain(wk), Robiul Haque, Nayeem Hasan, Qazi Anik Islam, Md Roni Hossen, Hasan Mahmud, Tipu Sultan.

Standby players: Md Sozib Hossen, Rayan Rafsan Rahman, Mohammed Shakhawat Hossain, Md, Saidul Islam Pramanik, Yeasin Arafat, Md. Abdul Halim, Md. Monirul Islam