Bangladesh Cricket Control Board (BCB) selection committee has announced a 14-member squad for the very important three matches ODI series against India. The rain affected lone test match is drifting to a certain draw unless something very dramatic happens today the last test of the match. Let the test be discussed separately. Let us talk about ODI series which is poised to answer few intriguing questions.

ODI Squad:

Mashrafee Bin Murtaza, Tamim Iqbal, Liton K Das, Ronny Talukdar, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haq, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Shabbir Rahman, Arafat Sunny, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, and Mustafizur Rahman.

For reasons best known to the BCB selectors in particular and BCB in general why nothing these days they do without controversy. Why and how inform young opener Anamul Haq Bijoy cannot find a place in the ODI squad? What is the necessity of including Mominul, a definite talent for test matches in the ODI squad? Mominul was in World Cup squad and he was mishandled. Anamul was in World Cup squad and if not injured would have played in all matches. He recovered from injury and played some characteristic aggressive innings in domestic cricket. How can an in-form experienced young player be overlooked? After the lone pacer controversy in the ongoing test match then non-inclusion of Anamul in ODI squad has created heated debate in the cricket community.

What signals BCB is giving to cricketers in general? Where other than domestic cricket our cricketers will prove their form and talent? Liton Das has just made debut and has not appeared with the bat yet. Ronny has not got his cap yet. Selectors have already destroyed morale of talented Mominul for the shorter versions of the international cricket. With very dependable Mahamudullah not in the squad for injury Anamul Haq was a must. Who is ruling the roost in BCB?

We admire inclusion of young left arm pacer Mustafiz in the side. We are not very sure of fitness level of Rubel yet. He can be a cover. Mustafiz impressed all in his lone international match with his effective swing, immaculate line and length. Selectors could be a bit more proactive in including Jubair in the squad. Leg spinner has already demonstrated his class. I would have even considered inform Imrul Kayes in the team to fill in the void left behind in the absence of Mahamudullah Riad. Bangladesh cannot risk a series white wash.

Some other actions of BCB in recent time have also evidence that an air of caring less has been going on there. Mashrafee, the inspiration captain has been warned for writing column in a local daily. Is it included in the player’s code of conduct that players cannot write column even on cricket? Moreover, he was not in the test squad? How his column has affected the interest of Bangladesh cricket?

Key all-rounder Shabbir Rahman also got warning for appearing in a fancy cricket match without the knowledge of BCB. He is young and he is eager for cricket. He required a quite talk not any warning.

It now appears from Mushfiqur Rahim’s batting that some kind of lack of self-belief has developed in him. BCB president unnecessarily put him under some stress after the Pakistan series. He must not have talked loose to press about his role in the team. This definitely created some kind of insecurity in him. Why BCB president has to talk on such matters? A highly talented proven performer like Mushfiqur Rahim is very conscious of his role. Let him and team management assesses how he will integrate his leadership, batting and wicket keeping? BCB president neither played cricket at any mentionable level nor known as analyst or expert. There are talks that he influences team selection these days. Head coach reportedly by passes Cricket Operation committee and BCB selectors. These are not good omen for Bangladesh Cricket.

We have to remember this ODI series is very important for Bangladesh. Bangladesh needs to win at least one of the three to keep its hopes alive for Champions trophy and next ICC World Cup. We are not very sure whether the matches will be played without rain interference. Pakistan is playing in Sri Lanka. Weather pattern is not much different there. There the arrangement has been made bilaterally to have an extra reserve day for each ODI. But it is not the case in Bangladesh India series. Perhaps none in BCB are intellectually competent to even think about it.

However, we have to deal with the squad selected and get the best playing eleven for the first ODI. The team winning it will have nose in front. There are lots at stake in this ODI series after that controversial World Cup Quarter final at MCG. Bangladesh needs to prove a point or two that they are a side capable of winning ODI against the better teams. Our suggested team for the first ODI would be

Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar,Liton K Das,  Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Shabbir Rahman ,Mashrafee Bin Murtaza, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, and Mustafizur Rahman.

We are in favor of playing with seven batsmen and four pacers. Shakib, Nasir are there to take care of spin attack. If necessary, Soumya can bowl few overs. Off course, if Mushfique is fit enough to keep wickets would suggest to play Rony Talukdar instead of Liton.

BDST: 0857 HRS, JUN 14, 2015
HB