The five-match T20 series against Zimbabwe will begin from May 3. However, Shakib Al Hasan will not play in the first three matches. This time he will participate in the Dhaka League for Sheikh Jamal. However, the left-handed all-rounder will participate in the last two matches in Mirpur. BCB chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu has indicated this.
The governing body of Bangladesh Cricket has announced the names of 17 cricketers for the three-day preparation camp ahead of the Zimbabwe series on Tuesday afternoon. The names of Shakib and Mostafizur Rahman are not in the list of this camp to be held at Zahoor Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on April 26-28.
Explaining the reason behind Shakib’s absence, Lipu said, ‘He (Shakib) has been contacted. It is reported that he (Shakib) will come to Bangladesh by the end of this month and there is a possibility that he will play a match or two in the Dhaka Premier League. Then our team will go in with the management. Then there will be opportunities to practice some cricketing skills, the way he wants, the way the team management wants. Then we would like him to get a chance to play at the end as there are 5 matches.’
Zimbabwe will play Bangladesh on the 28th. Meanwhile, 3 T20 matches will be played in Chittagong on May 3, 5 and 7, the remaining two matches in Dhaka on May 10 and 12. Lipu hinted that Shakib is not staying in the Chittagong phase, ‘We will give the team on 28th, then you will get a clear idea that for how many matches he (Shakib) is available and for how many not.’
Shakib played a few matches of the 2023 World Cup in India with an eye problem. He was knocked out of the last match against Sri Lanka when he injured his finger in the World Cup. Later returned to the field with BPL. But at the beginning of the tournament, the star cricketer of Rangpur Riders had to suffer in batting due to eye discomfort.
He played the last few matches of the ODI World Cup held in India with an eye problem. Did not play in the home and away series against New Zealand. However, Shakib returned to field cricket through the BPL. Later, the former Bangladesh captain took a break from the three edition series against the Lankans. However, the 37-year-old all-rounder played three Premier League matches for Sheikh Jamal. Later, Shakib played the second Test in Chittagong. Since then he is out of cricket. Currently spending time with family in USA.
Meanwhile, like Shakib, Mostafiz was also not kept in the initial camp. He has been given a no-objection letter till May 1. Naturally, the left-handed pacer will not be able to play the first match. About Mostafiz, the chief selector said, ‘I think we don’t get him at least in the first match. Because he will come, then he will have to go through a screening process by our medical team. Then we will talk with him, we will try to understand. I believe he may not be available in the first match.
Offspinning all-rounder Mehdi Hasan Miraj has been dropped from the preparation camp squad. However, instead of Miraj, the selectors are looking at Mohammad Saifuddin. Saif did not play any international match after 2022. The voice of the chief selector sounded very optimistic about him, ‘At the end of the day, performance is a big thing. Saifuddin may be slightly ahead in his batting. Again he has a rival in bowling. So the Zimbabwe series is a big chance for him to get back to his form. We have a lot of interest in him.’
Meanwhile, Soumya Sarkar was injured in the last ODI against Sri Lanka. This top order batsman is unable to play in the Premier League due to this injury. He has already started practicing. He has been included in the squad for the three-day camp. Lipu said about Soumya, ‘Soumya is in the process of recovering from injury. There too he will have a close observation. Trainers, physios will look after him. But from the strategic point of view, he can participate in the lectures, so he will be with the team.
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