No Mahmudullah as plans progress
Bangladesh announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI series against Ireland, part of ICC ODI Super League, and the biggest change coming in was uncapped paceman Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, in for Taskin Ahmed who is recuperating from an injury.
The 21-year-old has been in the vicinity of the national team, having played for the A side in the West Indies last year. Mrittunjoy's Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) performances over the years helped him get the nod.
The Tigers are enjoying a great vein of form, looking to notch up their aggressive instincts in the ODI format and the team management had said that several players were set to be tried and tested during the home and away series against Ireland.
The likes of Towhid Hridoy, Rony Talukdar and Yasir Ali were able to hold their place for the upcoming series and it brings to question whether veteran Mahmudullah Riyad will get a chance to make a return to the line-up while Afif Hossain still needs to prove his mettle with domestic performances.
Along with Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam also returned after sitting out the Ireland ODIs at home while Nasum Ahmed was left out.
"We have kept quite a few players in our plans and everyone is being monitored. We have also rested a few players. We will be readying the World Cup squad before the Asia Cup so before that the performances will be considered."
The BCB president Nazmul Hassan had informed previously that the squad for the Asia Cup will be the one for the World Cup. Ahead of the World Cup in India, the Tigers have assignments against Ireland in England, Afghanistan at home and the Asia Cup. Thus, the Ireland series will be another key setting to gauge strength.
"Our side is more experienced than before and I feel they are capable enough to adjust to conditions there. Since we will be playing a practice game, I'm hopeful that no matter how challenging, we will be able to do well there," chief selector Minhajul Abedin told members of the media yesterday.
"We have kept quite a few players in our plans and everyone is being monitored. We have also rested a few players. We will be readying the World Cup squad before the Asia Cup so before that the performances will be considered," he added.
Mahmudullah was left out of the squad after the England series. Whether his domestic performances will make a mark with the World Cup approaching fast, remains to be seen.
He produced scores of 58, 48 and then 71 for Mohammedan Sporting in the ongoing Dhaka Premier League but most of Mahmudullah's knocks have failed to make the required impact needed in the current climate.
Yasir Ali recently came back to the squad and has been carried and he will be competing with Mehedi Miraz for a seventh spot in the batting order. With a few players such as Rony and Towhid performing, Mahmudullah's return at the moment looks difficult.
"Everyone is being looked at in equal measure. We will prepare the best possible side for the Asia Cup," Minhajul said as Tigers look to ready a pool of players.