Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the squad for the ODI World Cup 2023 in India. The notable omission from Shakib Al Hasan-led side is veteran opener Tamim Iqbal amidst reports of a rift between the two. Meanwhile, 37-year-old all-rounder Mahmudullah made a comeback.
Young opener Tanzid Tamim got the backing of selectors once again despite a string of low scores whereas Mohammad Naim did not get a chance to represent Bangladesh in the quadrennial event in Iqbal’s absence.
It has been an eventful year for Iqbal who stepped down as captain, announced retirement, and then took a U-turn only to miss a few games. The left-handed batter did not bat in the first game of the series against New Zealand. He scored 44 runs in the second ODI but struggled with his back.
The 34-year-old was expected to make a full recovery before the mega event but he later informed the board that he would not be available for the entire World Cup and miss out on a few games due to back issues.
As a result, Shakib was not happy with taking a partially fit opener to the World Cup and the decision to drop Iqbal was taken.
After losing the series to New Zealand in the absence of Shakib, Bangladesh will start their World Cup preparations on September 29 in the first warm-up game against Sri Lanka at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. Their second warm-up game will be against defending champions England at the same venue on October 2.
Bangladesh will kick off their World Cup campaign against Hashmatullah Shahidi-led Afghanistan at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala on October 7.
Bangladesh squad for World Cup: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Towhid Hridoy, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Shakib, Tanzid Tamim, Mahmudullah Riyad
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