However there is a key difference between giving a player a break and dropping him from the team altogether. And in the case of Khaled Mashud it is still murky whether the long-serving wicketkeeper has actually been given a rest or whether the selectors have tried to send him a subliminal message about his fate.

The team management has kept him in the squad for the last two games against Zimbabwe but Mashud has been safely tucked away in the dressing room paving the way for young stumper Mushfiqur Rahim.

When the question was raised, chief selector Faruque Ahmed had a very diplomatic explanation about the issue. On one hand he said that Mashud had been given rest and on the other hand he also took pains to point out the 'keeper's recent poor form with the bat.

The essence of the decision can be understood if the selection committee chief's evaluation is judged: "There is no doubt that as a wicketkeeper Mashud is still unparalleled in the country, but in one-day cricket the demand is that the keeper should also wield his bat often. I think Mashud's recent form has not been good enough to fulfil the second demand."

"A wicketkeeper now holds a very important batting position at number six or seven in the one-day game where he has to score at least a run-a-ball. Unfortunately Mashud has been going through a long bad patch to seriously think about putting him in this position," he added.

The recent dip in form with the bat, especially against Zimbabwe in the third match of the ongoing series in Bogra, forced the selectors to draft a replacement in the slot. Faruque was however not ready to accept the fact that they had actually dropped the 30-year old keeper, who only missed four one-dayers in 130 matches since he debuted against India at Sharjah in 1995.

"We can't write off anybody's chance but I think the time has come to prepare a backup wicketkeeper. That is why we are trying an alternative solution against Zimbabwe and that too only when the series win has been confirmed. It's only natural that with the World Cup in such close proximity the question of his (Mashud) selection for the tournament will be raised. In that regard I can only say time will say what will happen," he explained.

The selection panel has so far stressed the fact that Mushfiqur is only a back-up to Mashud. The Bogra lad, however, has yet to make any significant impression, in both local cricket and his few international opportunities either with bat or gloves, to put him in the frame as a long-term option to succeed his senior colleague.

"We picked up Mushfiq because we thought that he has the potential to fulfil our desire batting at number six. No doubt he has a long way to go to prove himself a good keeper in the international arena. Some other keepers are also on our mind and we will definitely try them out if we feel that Mushfiq has failed to do his job," he assured.

Captain Habibul Bashar also expressed his concern about Mashud's recent batting form but said that there was no one right at the moment to replace him.

"In one-day cricket, the wicketkeeper's batting is very important and Mashud's form has not been satisfactory in that regard. But the problem is that there is no one who can pose a real challenge to him. He should prove this point in the domestic competition before the World Cup," said Bashar.

The man in question, Mashud was however quite unhappy with the way he was ignored for the last two games against Zimbabwe.

"I am not sure whether they have given me a rest or dropped me. To give a player a rest is not uncommon in the highest level but I think in that case it is important to talk with that particular player before taking the decision," said Mashud, who had last missed a one-day game during Bangladesh's tour to Australia in 2003 due to a thumb injury.

"I will welcome the challenge of a second wicketkeeper. But do you honestly think there is anybody who can replace me now? Yes, there is a question about my recent batting form but I honestly don't think it was too bad," he said.

"I know that renewed performance is the key to keeping my place in the team and I definitely want hold on to it with good performances," he added.