Bangladesh has just released the squad retaining the interim captain Saquibul Hasan as the captain and Musfiqur Rahim as his deputy. 

Tiger captain Mashrafee is still not 100% match fit and will logically sit out. It was actually not wise to try and risk him. It could bring premature end to the career. In half fit condition he could endeavour to give his 100% further aggravating his injuries. There were little justifications here as Bangladesh is not expected to win this tournament.

 

The final squad apart from discarding of talented Alok Kapali looks all right. Given the relative strength of participating teams of the ODI series what winning combination chief selector was talking about? Alok is a brilliant opening batsman. I was enjoying his batting against West Indies in Bangabandhu Stadium Dhaka sitting beside great Sir IVA Richards few years back. The master blaster was so impressed with his innings of 80+ against strong Caribbean attack. The first thing he asked me when we later on met at Schiphol Airport in 2002 while waiting for a flight to Washington DC. “How that little batsman is doing”. Alok batted superbly in ICL. His performance in recent domestic cricket as all rounder was excellent. His omission is not correct unless there are some other reasons.

Tamim Iqubal and Musfiqur Rahim are not 100% fit. What happens if one of them aggravates injury? Where is the back up? Imrul Kayes, Riad and Naeem are good but none of them are of the class of Alok Kapali. Rafique, Akram have not done it smartly.

In all possibility Tamim and Shahriar Nafees will open the batting. Tamim has played very little after injury. If ok this pair should give flying start as both are good stroke makers. Imrul Kayes had a good domestic season. He will be pressing hard for an opportunity. Shahriar Nafees is the most successful ODI batsman. He also had wonderful domestic season so far for Gazi Tank. Little Ashrfaul is always expected to play a cameo. If he delivers him always dictate terms and create winning situation. All major wins of Bangladesh against strong opposition came when Ash was not really Ash as he often is. Unfortunately his good days come very rare – very infrequently. He too often throws away his wicket in gay abandon. Player of his class should have a batting average of at least 35+ . But it is worse tan many tailenders of other teams.Ashraful must play well or his place in the team may be open to doubt. He is no longer an automatic choice in the team. If he is smart he should read the writings on the wall.

 In my assessment Roquibul Hasan is the soundest technically equipped batsman now. He should bat at number four and held the innings together.  Brilliant stroke makers Afatab and Saquib will make innings flow at lower middle order. Both can be aggressive when situation demands. Mushfique, Riad/ Naeem, Rubel, Russel and Razzak would make the playing squad. Mushfique has sound technique. Riad or Naeem apart from their aggressive batting are useful off spinners. They will be handy against tow many left Arm batsmen of India and Sri Lanka.  There is no reason why Bangladesh can not consistently score 250+ against not too strong Indian and Sri Lankan bowling on low slow Meerpoor Cricket Stadium.

 

It is true Bangladesh bowling may not cause much of a headache for very strong Indian and Sri Lankan batting. Payers like Shewag, Gambhir, Yuvaraj, Raina, Dhoni or Dilshan, Shangrakara may make merry. But they are also mortal. Even master blasters Shewag and Dilshan are also fallible. Bangladesh think tank must have seen video frottage of their recent ODI matches.Early on both is LBW candidates to good inswing bowling. Russel must play for Bangladesh. Even Razzak Can open the bowling .Square leg and point must have good agile fielders as both play uppish square cuts and pull early on. Bangladesh must not panic. These guys can massacre the best of the bowling on any surface any time.

But who knows Bangladeshi spinners on turning piches can cause a little surprise as well. SR Tendulkar, Mahela Jayawardena and Jayasuriya are not playing. Great MuraliDharan is not in Sri Lankan team. Bangladesh has won against both India and Sri Lanka more than once. This Bangladesh team can not be taken for granted. If Bangladesh bowl and field well one or two wins are not out of context.