Chief selector Faruque Ahmed yesterday confirmed that the squad's departure has been delayed by a day.

The second string national side are scheduled to play eight first class matches in Pakistan during their two month long tour. Their opening fixture starts from December 1 against Pakistan A.

Meanwhile, a source close to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday hinted that in-form all-rounder Mushfiqur Rahman might be declared captain of the A team with top order batsman Rajin Saleh acting as his deputy.

In another development, all-rounder Alok Kapali, who was originally picked for the tour, pulled out because of pain in his right shoulder. Faruque informed that Kapali would stay back and undergo some medical tests to know the extent of the injury. Middle order batsman Mazharul Haque has been included in the 15-man squad as his replacement.

Seven members of the team -- Hannan Sarkar, Moniruzzaman, Rajin, Mushfique, Manjarul Islam, Jamaluddin and Anwar Hossain Munirare scheduled to return home at the end of December to join the Tigers' camp for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe. They will be replaced by a new set of players.

Bangladesh A team: Hannan Sarkar, Moniruzzaman, Mazharul Haque, Rajin Saleh, Mushfiqur Rahman, Manjarul Islam, Jamaluddin, Anwar Hossain Munir, Mohammad Ashraful, Ehsanul Haque, Shahriar Hossain, Alamgir Kabir, Tareq Aziz Khan, Mohammad Salim (wicketkeeper) and Mosaddek Hossain.