Habibul Bashar's men will leave Dhaka on January 31 to play four one-dayers on February 4, 6, 9 and 10 in Harare as part of their March-April World Cup preparation.

The long-serving wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud's fate will definitely be a major issue in the discussion; not only for his poor batting form but also the injury he has suffered during a recent Premier Division Cricket League match, which has sidelined the veteran for the last three games.

It was learnt that the former national skipper was fit for batting but it will take more time for him to be in shape for standing behind the stumps.

Mashud, who has been considered as an automatic choice for long, has already come under the scanner for his fragile batting in recent times, and by drafting Mushfiqur Rahim into the national fold the selectors have already expressed their intention of looking for a replacement for the key position.

Ahead of the World Cup, the Faruque Ahmed-led panel was also looking for a third opener and two new players -- Tamim Iqbal and Zunaed Siddiqe -- have already come under the spotlight for their big-hitting ability, a far cry from the formerly defensive pairing of Javed Omar and Rajin Saleh.

Mehrab Hossain has had some good partnerships in the last few games with the national team but his slow batting is of real concern for the think-tank and a crucial reason to opt for a big-hitter up the order. Many however feel that it's too early to think about Zunaed, whose fielding and running-between the wickets are still far from the required standard.

There is a bright chance for Mohammad Sharif to make a comeback in the national team after a three-year hiatus due to injury while the experienced Tapash Baisya and rookie Dollar Mahmud are also in consideration. In that case the axe will fall on all-rounder Forhad Reza and left-arm pacer Syed Rasel.

The team will be officially announced tomorrow.