..as the tour receives mixed feelings world over...
The Bangladesh cricket board announced a fifteen man squad to tour the southern African republic cricketing nation, Zimbabwe. The two teams are set to square up in a one off Test match in Zimbabwe’s beginning of next month.
Critics have been quoted as saying this tour was a waste of resources from the mother body the ICC. A very reliable source from the ICC administration told OFF The CREASE how they saw this battle as a potential thriller. “ I think the best cricket will be played in Zimbabwe, because the visitors are looking at getting their confidence back while the hosts will be trying to reclaim their stake in world cricket” said the source who preferred to remain anonymous.
“These two countries have been dubbed the whipping boys of international cricket but I think we will be proved wrong, it has happened before and I think Bangladesh in particular mean business” added the source. “From my limited understanding I hear Zimbabwe have been working hard although their display recently in one day cricket leaves a lot to be desired” he said
Some sectors in the cricketing world believe it is a waste of resources. Another source from England who also preferred to comment on the grounds of anonymity said there wasn’t much to expect from these two teams.” It’s definitely a waste of time, if I may ask who stands to benefit. The players, the TV crews or the Cricket Union of Zimbabwe and Bangla (Bangladesh) Board? Lets be realistic, no one in those teams has what it takes to play Test cricket” said the source.
Back home, most are looking forward to a thriller and will be hoping to see Zimbabwe get back to Test cricket in style. “Its on, I want to see Zimbabwe doing well and I know they will do good and make us proud” said a staunch supporter of the Brendon Taylor led Zimbabwe team, Stacey Kelly.
Zimbabwe are currently taking on the Australian A side in Harare and have displayed some great composure both on the ball and bat with Vusi Sibanda leading from the front while Tino Mawoyo, Elton Chigumbura, Brian Vitori are playing the much needed support in all departments.
Meanwhile ninteen year-old Nasir Hossain, earned his first call-up to the Bangladesh side after the BCB announced a 15-member squad for the Zimbabwe tour. Mohammad Ashraful has been preferred over Raqibul Hasan in the squad, which also includes another uncapped player Shuvagoto Hom.
The announcement came two days after BCB chief Mustafa Kamal received the names of the selected players from chief selector Akram Khan, who had called for a change in the process which allows the board's technical committee to discuss the selectors' choices.
Considered for the ODI series alongside Shuvagoto, Nasir is being propped up for a role in the lower middle-order, according to Akram, while Shuvagoto will be tested at the No. 4 position, a spot that has been Bangladesh's scourge.
"Nasir has a bright future and we have picked him and Shuvagoto for the ODI series," Akram said. "I think he is far ahead of all the other good allrounders and we have considered him for his positive frame of mind."
Predictably, Ashraful and Junaid Siddique made comebacks, though both played Bangladesh's previous Test match in England last year. Ashraful showed poor form during the 2011 World Cup and was dropped for the Australia ODIs in April. "We considered both Ashraful and Raqibul for the same position and I think Ashraful won the spot for his experience and some good knocks in South Africa (for Bangladesh A earlier this year)," Akram said.
The squad will be led by Shakib Al Hasan, with Tamim Iqbal as vice-captain. Former captain and fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza, who had another knee surgery in May, is undergoing rehabilitation and continues to miss out.
Bangladesh are visiting Zimbabwe for one Test and five ODIs. The tour starts with a three-day game against a Zimbabwe XI from July 30.
Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Tamim Iqbal (vc), Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Shahriar Nafees, Robiul Islam, Shuvagoto Hom, Nasir Hossain
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