Vastly experienced left-arm spinning all-rounder Shakib al Hasan has been included in a largely predictable Bangladesh 15-man squad for next month’s Twenty20 World Cup.
The 37-year-old, who only returned to the international T20 setup earlier this year after nearly 12 months away, has featured in every single T20 World Cup and will also bring valuable knowledge of the Caribbean after having turned out in the Caribbean Premier League.
Shakib has played 430 T20s and turned out for Bangladesh in 119 T20 Internationals, making him the most experienced in the lineup for the June 1-29 showpiece in the West Indies and the United States.
Selectors have included Litton Das, 29, who has played 80 T20Is but who has struggled for form recently. He will be joined by batting all-rounder Soumya Sarkar and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who was appointed to lead in all formats earlier this year.
“We have hopes that the team will reach the second round. If we achieve that then we will definitely want to progress further,” said chief selector, Gazi Ashraf Hossain.
“The batting form is a concern. We have to work really hard to overcome this and hopefully the batters will play according to their capability.”
Selectors have also given the nod to injured paceman Taskin Ahmed, who picked up a side strain against Zimbabwe earlier this month, and have also named him vice-captain.
The 29-year-old played a key role in the five-match series, finishing with eight wickets from four matches to be adjudged Man-of-the-Series.
“The medical team informed us that Taskin will be fit at some point during the T20 World Cup, which is why he is in the squad,” said Gazi.
“We will follow the ICC’s policy if a replacement is needed. They can be done later. However, I don’t think Taskin can play this month’s series against the USA.”
Bangladesh will compete in Group D alongside South Africa, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Netherlands, and play their opening game in Dallas on June 7 against the Sri Lankans.
SQUAD – Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Taskin Ahmed, Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shakib Al Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Tanvir Islam, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
(CMC)
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