Shuvagata to lead BD A

Shuvagata Hom has been named captain of Bangladesh A, with Soumya Sarkar his deputy, for their tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa. The second-string side are scheduled to leave for Zimbabwe on October 14. The 16-member side will play six one-dayers, one three-day game and two four-day matches against their South African and Zimbabwean counterparts.

In South Africa, Bangladesh will play all their matches at the Irene Villagers Club in Pretoria. Following those matches, the visitors will leave for Zimbabwe on October 30. The three one-dayers will be played at the Queen Sports Club, while the two four-day matches will take place in Bulawayo.

A couple of the players from the side however, may travel back to Bangladesh at the end of their tour of South Africa, since the national side of Zimbabwe are expected to visit Bangladesh in November to play two Tests. There is also a possibility for the two teams to play three ODIs next month, instead of the Tests, depending on  what the boards agree to during the ICC meeting in Dubai, which began yesterday.

Players with Test experience in the A team like Soumya Sarkar, Taijul Islam, Mohammad Shahid, Al-Amin Hossain, Jubair Hossain and Shuvagata may be asked to come back prior to November.

Shuvagata, who was included in Bangladesh A's tour of India as well, performed with both the bat and ball. It was as a result of his good outings that he was declared captain of the team. He will hope he can make it count and earn a comeback to the Test side.