DPL stars in sight

With the Dhaka Premier League over, the national cricketers are now set for an Eid break. Upon their return from holiday they will be expected to join the national camp that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has organised.

The national selection panel led by Minhajul Abedin, has reportedly already submitted a 30-member preliminary squad which will take part in the camp. While there are no new faces, it was learnt that some of the older players could return.

Among them, there is a good chance for Raqibul Hasan to return. The former national batsman, who last represented the Tigers in November 2011, had a good outing in the Dhaka Premier League and has reportedly impressed the selectors.

With 719 runs at an average of 65.36, Raqibul finished as the league's highest scorer. Also expected to be included in the side is young allrounder Mosaddek Hossain, who finished with an astounding batting average of 77.75, the highest in the competition.

As per the new selection system the chairman of the cricket operations committee, Akram Khan, will now have to sit with the selectors, the coach and the manager, in order to officially finalise the team before sending it to the BCB president.

A large number of players from this squad, after all, could be considered for Bangladesh's next series against England in October.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Akram, who returned to Bangladesh two days ago after performing Umrah, said that he would sit with the team in order to discuss a number of issues.

“There are lots of issues to discuss. The selectors also have to select a second-string squad that will be taking part in an 'A' tour in the near future, which is in the works. We are still finalising the details of that tour.  And then we have to fix the dates of the national camp as well. I will be able to provide more details on Wednesday,” said Akram.

The BCB yesterday officially announced the itinerary of England's tour of Bangladesh this year. England will arrive on September 30 and are scheduled to leave in the first week of November.

They will begin the tour with a one-day warm up game at Fatullah on October 4, followed by two ODIs on October 7 and 9 in Mirpur. They will play the third ODI on October 12 in Chittagong followed by a Test from October 20 to 24.

The second Test will take place between October 28 and November 1 in Mirpur.