Normalcy from selectors
It seems that the ability to innovate is beyond our national selectors as sticking to the tried and trusted remains their natural character.
It had been mentioned that the performance in the ongoing National Cricket League would be one of the major criteria in the selection of the team for the New Zealand tour but there was hardly anything encouraging from the Rafiqul Alam-led selection panel after completion of the fifth round.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is planning to announce a 15-member one-day team first to pave way for the Test probables to play more four-day matches in the first-class tournament.
"We have a plan to announce the one-day team first to keep the selection open for the players who will join the team later in the two-match Test series. We will discuss the matter with our new coach (Jamie Siddons) who will arrive on Sunday," said Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, chairman of BCB's cricket operations committee. He added that the board will decide on captain and vice-captain for the tour in the board meeting on Monday.
It is all but confirmed that the tenure of Mohammad Ashraful, who himself has failed to impress in the NCL, and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza will be extended as captain and vice-captain.
Most of the Tigers failed to show their true colours as well as has the lack of freshmen who can claim places with exceptional performances.
The fact has left the selectors to do a customary job.
It was learnt that the discussion will centre on Mohammad Rafique as the national selectors sit today to decide the one-day team.
The long-serving cricketer, who is just six wickets shy of hundred Test wickets, is doubtful for the tour not only because of the emergence of young left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain but also due to his sub-par performances and unprofessional attitude towards the domestic competition.
Rafique has taken only nine wickets in three four-day matches but the important thing was the way he kept away from playing two rounds in the competition.
The selectors are planning to shape the attack with three seamers, two spinners and a seaming all-rounder. Mashrafe and Syed Rasel are automatic choices to operate with the new ball while Abdur Razzak and Shakib Al Hasan are also proven spinners for the shorter-version game. Forhad Reza has a good chance to get the all-rounder's slot.
The third seamer's slot has yet to be finalised.
Left-handed opening batsman Shahriar Nafees, despite being awful in the tournament, has a chance to retain the place along with Tamim Iqbal and veteran Javed Omar.
On the other hand, veteran wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud's getting back among runs might not be enough for a one-day recall as the selectors still prefer the slippery gloves of Mushfiqur Rahim, who has put on disappointing shows behind and in front of the stumps.
There is also hardly any chance for former national skipper Habibul Bashar to regain his one-day spot. However, his experience will be counted for the Test series despite ordinary performance in the four-day meet.
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