Riyad, Enamul recalled
Mahmudullah Riyad finally got a recall while prodigious fast bowler Rubel Hossain became the only newcomer in the Bangladesh side when the national selectors settled on the one-day side for the tri-nation tournament and the series against Zimbabwe.
Seamer Nazmul Hossain remained in the one-day setup while Enamul Haque made a comeback to the limited-overs side having played his last match exactly three years ago. All-rounder Nayeem Islam made the side after recovering from a finger injury.
The national selectors axed batsmen Imrul Kayes, Rajin Saleh and pacemen Shahadat Hossain and Sajidul Islam who were all part of the squad that featured in the just concluded Test series against Sri Lanka.
Among those who returned, Riyad has done the most. Having been set aside after the New Zealand one-day series at home, the right-hander went back to domestic cricket and became the second highest run-getter (710 runs) but more noticeably he slammed four centuries, two of which were match-winning ones.
Chief selector Rafiqul Alam confirmed that it was Riyad's batting form that forced the change and it was left-hander Kayes who suffered.
"Riyad has been rewarded for his batting form. Unfortunately Imrul Kayes had to give way, as he has not managed to deliver despite getting opportunities. He will remain in frame though as he is someone we think will perform in the future," said Rafiq.
Riyad will be among four all-rounders in the squad along with the man in form Shakib Al Hasan, Mehrab Hossain and Nayeem Islam, who has recovered from a finger injury. While Shakib will be a regular feature, the other all-rounders' slot will be fought between Mehrab, Nayeem and Riyad.
"Nayeem is fit as he is playing in Bogra and Mehrab has been doing well. He has scored against New Zealand and South Africa. He didn't get a fifty here (against Sri Lanka) but he looked good," added the former national cricketer.
Among the four fast men, Rubel is the new face. The youngster who hails from Bagerhat is renowned in the cricketing circle for his slinging action, much like Sri Lanka's sensation Lasith Malinga. He was picked up from nowhere after topping the speed gun in a pacer hunt programme and quickly climbed through the ranks.
After playing a season of club cricket, he was in the under-19 World Cup team and also made it into the GP-BCB National Cricket Academy and the Bangladesh A sides mainly due to the surprise factor and his raw pace.
"Rubel has performed well for the under-19, Academy and Bangladesh A side and been impressive in the domestic first-class level also.
"He has extra pace and a deceptive slingshot action. He is an attacking bowler and comes in for Sajidul Islam who was in the Test squad and is more of a longer version bowler," said Rafiq.
Nazmul did not play any matches in the last one-day series played by the Tigers (in South Africa last year). According to the chief selector, the steady paceman takes the place of the fiery Shahadat Hossain.
"Shahadat had been rather expensive in the ODIs he played last year. The coaching staff wanted a steady and accurate bowler and Nazmul fitted the bill.
"He (Shahadat) is by no means out of our plans and we believe that returning to domestic cricket will be beneficial for him at this stage and I am sure he will be back in the national side soon," Rafiq added.
The decision to take Enamul, who played all three of his career ODIs against Zimbabwe, was a relatively easier call for the selectors since the left-armer will take the place of the suspended Abdur Razzak.
"We don't have (Abdur) Razzak at the moment so we needed a specialist backup. Besides Enam's record against Zimbabwe is very good indeed," said Rafiq.
Suharwardi Shuvo, who was the highest wicket-taker in this year's National Cricket League, was also in consideration but missed out on experience at the international level.
"We also thought about Suhrawardi Shuvo but couldn't find a spot for him as in Riyad, Mehrab and Nayeem we already have three multi-skilled players," added the former national batsman.
SQUAD
Tamim Iqbal, Zunaed Siddiqui, Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Rokibul Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehrab Hossain, Nayeem Islam, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mahbubul Alam, Nazmul Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Enamul Haque.
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