30-member squad named

The national selectors picked a 30-member preliminary squad for the ICC World Cup to be held in England from May.

Chief selector Minhajul Abedin informed yesterday that they submitted the long list to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), signaling the start of the think-tank's work for the big event.

The preliminary squad was mostly drafted with tried-and-tested players while injured pacer Taskin Ahmed got a place alongside uncapped batsman Yasir Ali, who hogged the spotlight during the last Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) while playing for Chittagong Vikings.

Taskin suffered an ankle injury during the BPL and was ruled out of the New Zealand tour but the 23-year-old right-arm pacer is expected to fully recover from the injury by April, likely in time to play some Dhaka Premier League super league matches.

"We have chalked out all the programmes for the World Cup and submitting the preliminary squad was the first step. As you know, there are some logistical issues. By mid-April we will trim the squad to the final 15 members to meet the ICC's deadline," Minhajul said.

The Tigers will play a tri-series against hosts Ireland and West Indies before flying for England to take part in cricket's mega-event.