BCB authorities have just announced 16 members squad for playing 3 matches T20 series against strong Pakistan. We are aware of brilliant all round performance of Babar Azam led Pakistan in the just concluded ICC T20 world cup. 

Just for a stroke of luck they lost in the semi final against ultimate champions Australia. Bangladesh on the other hand lost all their matches in the Super 12. To many their performance was perhaps the worst among the 12 teams. It is understood that Bangladesh starts the series as ranked underdogs. Yet it was expected that Management would form at least a competitive squad to challenge Pakistan in their own back yard. But the team that they announced lacks quality and experience to compete against a very strong inform team playing at the peak of their performance. Let us look at the squad. 

Bangladesh T20 Squad: 
Mahmud Ullah (captain), Naim Sheikh, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Aminul Islam Biplob, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shamim Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Saif Hassan, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Shohidul Islam, Akbar Ali.

Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan are missing the series for injury. Authorities concerned actually dropped indispensable player Mushfiqur Rahim though they gave excuse as resting him. All Rounder Mohammad Saifuddin is also missing the series through injury. Captain Mahmudullah Raid remains as the lone warrior as experienced player. The management also did not consider Liton K Das and Soumya Sarkar for below par performance in T20 World Cup. But they retained Afif Hossain and Shamim Hossain though they performed even worse in the world cup. Saif Hasan, Yasir Ali and Akbar Ali have no reputation as potential T20 player yet they have been taken. Authorities had option for trying Parvez Emon, Tawhid Hredoy, Mosaddeq Hossain and Mohammad Mithun. Why not Rubel Hossain given an opportunity? He was in the world Cup squad but was not given any opportunity. 

Bangladesh may not win any match against strong Pakistan even playing on low slow turning track at Mirpur. But even then, why not BCB management chose the best team under present circumstance? 

We cannot accept the excuses of the authorities that Mushfique has been rested. He is a player who keeps himself always fighting fit. He required playing to get back to his best stride. Excluding him from the squad is a huge risk the management has taken. The declared squad is very lean in batting and would struggle against very strong Pakistan bowling attack, which even blew away power, packed Indian batting. Excepting Mahmudullah Riad this team lack batting. Bangladesh could not reach even 100 in the last two matches of the world cup against South Africa and Australia. Now against Pakistan similar performance at home may create great frustrations we apprehend. This would be our start for the T20 world cup 2022. A very poor beginning would serve a wrong message. 

The first match would be played day after tomorrow. If there is any scope some changes should be made after the first match.

Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain) Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shoaib Malik, Usman Qadir

Pakistan squad is a perfect blend of proven top-quality players and potential youth. Shaheen Afridi is among the top ranked pace bowler. Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali bowls fast. Shanawaz Dhani also bowls at pace. We are aware that Shadab Khan and Usman Kadir are top leg spinners. Bangladesh always struggles against leg spin. We have seen how Imad Wasim bowled his left arm spin at world cup. 

We are afraid that Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Rizwan and Asif Ali would smash few records against not too strong bowling of Bangladesh without Shakib and Saifuddin. Against a highly skilled Pakistan team we apprehend that BCB s electors have pushed lambs for sacrifice.

BDST: 1347 HRS, NOV 17, 2021
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