Internet Desk: Bangladesh recalled Shafiul Islam and left out Nurul Hasan, Subashis Roy and Shuvagata Hom for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 that will be held in England in June.
This will be the first time Bangladesh is participating in the ICC Champions Trophy in more than a decade, having last been a part of it in 2006 under the captaincy of Habibul Bashar.
Bashar, one of the Champion Ambassadors for this year’s tournament, had told ICC that qualification for the tournament was a big step forward. “It is definitely a big step forward for our country to qualify directly to this year’s Champions Trophy, and it is really important for the team as well,” said Bashar. “Now we have the opportunity to demonstrate how good our ODI skills are at the present time.”
The selectors also announced the team for a tri-series that Bangladesh will take part in, featuring Ireland and New Zealand, in Ireland, to prepare for the Champions Trophy. “It is important to plan separately for this tournament, which is why we are going to Ireland for a tri-nation series before the Champions Trophy. That will help us greatly in preparing for English conditions. You will see a different Bangladesh in this year’s Champions Trophy,” said Bashar.
Medium-pacer Shafiul last featured for Bangladesh in the home series against England in October 2016 before he injured his hamstring during the Bangladesh Premier League. He was later part of the Bangladesh Test squad for the one-off game against India in Hyderabad, although he didn’t feature in the XI.
Nurul, the wicketkeeper, and Roy, the medium-pacer, were part of Bangladesh’s squad for its most recent One-Day International series against Sri Lanka, but didn’t get a game. Both of them, however, have been named in Bangladesh’s squad for the tri-series in Ireland.
Hom, who was also in the ODI squad for Bangladesh’s series against Sri Lanka has been left out from both squads while Nasir Hossain, the middle-order batsman, bagged a spot for the tri-series.
The rest of the 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy is on expected lines, with Mashrafe Mortaza leading and Mushfiqur Rahim being his deputy.
Bangladesh’s tri-series in Ireland, also featuring New Zealand, runs from May 12 to May 24. Bangladesh then begins its Champions Trophy campaign against England on June 1 at The Oval in London.
Squads:
For ICC Champions Trophy: Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim (vice-capt, wk), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Sunzamul Islam, Mehedi Hasan, Shafiul Islam.
For Ireland tri-series: Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim (vice-capt, wk), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Subashis Roy, Sunzamul Islam, Nurul Hasan, Mehedi Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Shafiul Islam.