The BFF yesterday named 20 players for the prestigious Malaysian tournament which will be held from August 19-29.

The latest squad included striker Alfaz, who had announced his retirement from international football in November 2006 after Bangladesh's last match in the Asian Cup qualifiers.

BFF deputy general secretary Manzoor Hossain Malu told yesterday that the federation has yet to receive anything from Alfaz in written about his retirement.

"It's not official. So we called him. The coach has also talked with him," he informed.

Also surprising was the omission of fullback Ibnul Siraji, a regular face in the national side after Hassan Al Mamun was ruled out for long injury. Despite playing all the matches for ongoing B. League leaders Abahani, the rightback was ignored for his short stature.

It was learned that new coach Syed Nayeemuddin prefers taller players, especially in the backline.

The new list included veterans like Hassan Al Mamun, Hassan, Munna, Parvez Babu and Moni.

Matured players like Shuvra, Juku, Mithu and Kamal -- seemingly past their best -- also got their first national calls although Abahani's midfield duo Zahed Parvez and inform Abdullah Parvez have been mistreated.

The most surprising inclusion was Arambagh striker Ridon, who has been used only a few times as late substitute by his club and has not scored a single goal in the ongoing professional league.

Abahani's second choice goalkeeper Tarek, billed as the successor to long-serving Aminul and Biplab, however, seemed to be lucky to be named after playing just a few minutes in one game. Tarek was in the national squad for the 10th SA Games last year and the Olympic qualifiers earlier this year.

There was still doubt whether most of the senior players, as they had earlier expressed their reluctances to wear the national colours any more, would join the camp or not.

On Wednesday before attending former India international Nayeemuddin's opening briefing, senior footballers Rajani Kanta Barman, Nazrul Islam and Feroz Mahmud Titu informed the BFF secretary that were not interested to play for the national team.

Manzoor Hossain Malu, who is also the head of the National Team Management Committee (NTMC), said that he has talked with three players about this.

"They haven't given anything in written although they told us about their wishes.

"I have asked them to reconsider their decision for the sake of the nation. As they attended the coach's briefing, we take it that they will join the camp. Unless they make it on paper, we will think that they would be available," Malu added.

THE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: MN Shakil, Atiqul Islam Tarek, Mazharul Islam Himel; defenders: Hassan Al Mamun, Amit Khan Shuvra, Mahmudul Hassan, Arafat Rony, Akram Hossain, Parvez Babu, Kamal Hossain; midfielders: Matiur Munna, Kallol Kumar Zuku, Khokon Das, Arup Baidya, Jumratul Islam Mithu, Rony Islam, Monir Hossain; forwards: Alfaz Ahmed, Saifur Rahman Moni and Akbar Hossain Ridon.