Bangladesh call up Nasir for Ireland tour, not Champions Trophy

Nasir Hossain has returned to the Bangladesh fold for the team’s training camp in England and the forthcoming tri-nation series in Ireland.

Sports Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 20 April 2017, 06:14 AM
Updated : 20 April 2017, 05:24 PM

He, however, has been left out of the squad for the forthcoming Champions Trophy which will be held in June.

Paceman Shafiul Islam has been roped into both the squad while Shuvagata Hom Chowdhury was dropped.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board announced an 18-man squad for the tri-series and a separate 15-strong team for the Champions Trophy on Thursday.

The cut-off date for announcing squad is Apr 25 for the eighth edition of the eight-team tournament, which will be held in England and Wales this year. South Africa and Australia have already announced their squads for the tournament, second in importance only to the showcase event World Cup.

Having played their last games in national colours against England in last October, both Nasir and Shafiul are back in the team a six-month hiatus .

Shafiul stayed sidelined due to injury. The selectors were not happy with the right-arm pacer who had been unable to stay fit for a long stretch of time over the years. But he has regained their faith.

Chief selector Minhajul Abedin said giving Nasir a slot on the team’s trip to Ireland is ultimately a part of the process of bringing him back to fold.

The presence of Mosaddek Hossain and Mahmdullah at the same position has forced him out of the Champions Trophy but he can lay strong claim to a spot among the Tigers if he does well in Ireland.

Besides Shuvagata, Nurul Hasan and Subashis Roy have been dropped from the team which played ODIs against Sri Lanka last month.

Wicketkeeper Nurul has been part of the Tigers’ squad for last few series to give Bangladesh an alternative behind the stump beside Mushfiqur. But the option has been taken out for the Champions Trophy.

Nurul will, however, be on standby if Mushfiqur is unavailable on an emergency case. The selectors have also kept Nasir, Subashis and Mohammad Saifuddin is the list of standbys.

The Tigers will fly for Sussex on Apr 26 for the training camp while their first game of the tri-nation series, which also includes New Zealand, is scheduled for May 12.

They will play against England in the Champions Trophy opener on Jun 1. Bangladesh have been grouped with Australia, England and New Zealand in Group A. Defending champions India are in Group B with neighbours and arch-rivals Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

The 2006 edition was the last time Bangladesh played in the tournament.

Squad for England camp and Ireland tour:

Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Nasir Hossain, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Subashis Roy, Sunzamul Islam, Shafiul Islam.

Squad for Champions Trophy:

Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Sunzamul Islam, Shafiul Islam.

Champions Trophy standbys:

Nasir Hossain, Nurul Hossain Sohan, Subashis Roy, Mohammad Saifuddin.