The former national skipper was not willing to single out any player before making the comment but understandably, his fingers were pointed towards veteran wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud who has recently told that he never understood why he should not still be an automatic choice for the Tigers.

"I don't want to single out any player but one thing is clear that we don't think anybody's place is guaranteed (in the side) because the choice has to be backed by performance. Experience could be a factor but should not be the only criteria to pick up someone," said Faruque while talking about the World Cup probables.

The national selectors finalised Bangladesh's 30-member probables for the World Cup yesterday and Bangladesh Cricket Board is expected to disclose the list today.

All the 23 cricketers except injured opener Nafis Iqbal currently under contract with the board are almost confirmed to be included in the list besides few discarded internationals and promising cricketers like Nadif Chowdhury, who got a national call during the recent home series against Scotland but has yet to make international debut.

"We have submitted the list to the board today. The board will release it but I can say that we tried to blend experience and youth in the list considering their recent performance," the chief selector said.

The long list would be reduced to half before mid-February when the Tigers return home from Zimbabwe.

Fit-again seamer cum useful late-order batsman Mohammad Sharif is not only expected to be included in the list but he also received special attention for touring Zimbabwe and thus the Caribbean for the World Cup as the selectors are seriously thinking about adding a paceman.

Dollar Mahmud was also under consideration but Sharif, a brilliant user of the old ball and a hard-hitting batsman, had a strong support due to impressive domestic performance in recent times. Hard-hitting opener Zunaed Siddiqe, who hogged the spotlight following his splendid performance in the recently concluded Twenty20 Premier League, is likely to be the only fresh inclusion.

Although Faruque denied that there had been any significant discussions in the selection meeting on the squad for the four-match series against Zimbabwe, it was learnt that Mashud's recent comments came to talk besides Sharif and some other players.

"We have had no significant discussion on the squad for Zimbabwe. We will finalise the squad on January 25 but we will meet again before the final sitting," he informed.