Pace bowler Taskin Ahmed has been included in Bangladesh’s 15-man squad for next month’s T20 World Cup despite a lingering injury he picked up against Zimbabwe.
The 29-year-old was in fine form for the five-match T20I series at home but missed the final game after suffering a side strain.
Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain said Taskin still needed more time to recover and was unlikely to play in a three-match warm-up series against the USA in Houston next week.
“The information we have is he will be fit at some stage during the World Cup,” Ashraf told reporters in Dhaka. “As per the rules this year, we can carry an injured player. If he does not make enough progress, he can be replaced.”
Taskin, who was also named vice-captain, claimed eight wickets in four matches against Zimbabwe, won 4-1 by the hosts.
All-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin, who claimed eight wickets against Zimbabwe on return from an 18-month injury layoff, was left out in favour of Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
“Looking at both players, we found more confidence in Sakib. His integrity kept him ahead,” Ashraf said.
Ashraf said the high number of right-handed batsmen among group rivals Nepal and the Netherlands prompted the selection of an extra-spinner in left-arm tweaker Tanvir Islam.
Travelling reserve pace bowler Hasan Mahmud will take Taskin’s place in the US warm-up series from 20-24 May.
Bangladesh have never made it to the knockout stage at a T20 World Cup and also face Sri Lanka and South Africa in the group stage.
The World Cup will run from 1 June to 29 June in a tournament jointly hosted by the West Indies and USA.
Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Taskin Ahmed (vice-capt), Liton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Tanvir Islam. Travelling reserves: Hasan Mahmud, Afif Hossain.
© Agence France-Presse
