Bangladesh name three newcomers

Bangladesh have included three youngsters to boost their depleted squad for an upcoming one-day series against New Zealand, selectors announced here.

Opener Imrul Kayes, middle-order batsman Naeem Islam and paceman Mahbubul Alam Robin were the newcomers in a 14-man squad for the three-match series starting here on Thursday.

The trio, belonging to the country's cricket academy, had consistently done well in domestic leagues and on overseas tours over the past one year, chief selector Rafiqul Alam told AFP.

"Kayes and Naeem are talented young batsmen while Robin has proved his worth as a medium-fast bowler. We have high hopes on them," he said.

The squad contains none of the 13 players who recently defected to the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL), including seven current or former internationals.

The selectors also recalled wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim, ignored for a recent one-day series in Australia, and fit-again seamer Syed Rasel.

Alam said the inexperienced squad was capable of causing an upset in the series.

"We hope we can win at least one match in the series," he said.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has banned 13 players, including former captain Habibul Bashar, for 10 years for joining the ICL.

Daniel Vettori's New Zealanders will also play two Tests.

Bangladesh squad: Mohammad Ashraful (capt), Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, Junaid Siddique, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehrab Hossain, Naeem Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmud Ullah Riyad, Abdur Razzak, Syed Rasel, Shahadat Hossain, Mahbubul Alam Robin.
Soruce: www.cricbuzz.com

B'desh upbeat despite exodus as NZ loom

Bangladesh are confident the exodus of players to the unofficial Indian Cricket League (ICL) would not cripple the national team in next month's home series against New Zealand, a cricket official said on Thursday. Former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar and 12 other leading players signed for the Twenty20 league on Tuesday. The board has said it would slap 10-year bans on those playing in unofficial tournaments. "No doubt it is a setback for us," Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) media chief Ahmed Sazzadul Alam told Reuters. "But we are confident that we have enough players in the pipeline to fill the void. Bangladesh, who play three one-dayers and two tests against New Zealand, have only won one of their previous 53 tests (47 defeats) since making their debut in 2000. "The players waiting in the pipeline are equally talented," Alam said. "The only thing we will be missing is the experience of a few players." Among those who have signed up for the ICL, only Alok Kapali, Farhad Reza and Dhiman Ghosh were in the Bangladesh squad which played three one-dayers against Australia this month. Batsmen Shariar Nafees and Aftab Ahmed played in the previous test series, at home against South Africa in February. At least seven contracted players including Bashar, Nafees and Aftab have put in requests for retirement with BCB without giving any reason. Alam said many key players had not joined ICL. "Most of the players like Mohammad Ashraful, Mashrafe Mortaza, Sakib Al Hassan, Tamim Iqbal, Abdur Razzak and Shahadat Hossain who are regulars in the national team, are still with us. "Our bowling department is not at all affected with their departure." New Zealand arrive in Bangladesh on Sept.30 and play two ODIs in Dhaka on Oct. 9 and 11 with the final game in Chittagong on Oct.14. The tests will be played in Chittagong and Dhaka from Oct.17 and 25 respectively. The BCB officials are also hopeful its depleted team and the Australian test tour of India happening around the same period would not affect the interest in the Bangladesh series and its income.

source: www.circbuzz.com

Sreesanth doubtful for Bangladesh trip

June 6, 2008, A left side strain leaves Sreesanth, the Indian fast bowler, in doubt for the Kitply Cup in Bangladesh, which starts on June 8. Sreesanth was expected to join the team on Saturday, ahead of their departure for Bangladesh on Sunday, but has instead been told to report to the medical team at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.

MRI scans confirmed the strain and revealed he was suffering from some effusion in the region. Sreesanth's participation in the series will be decided after he is assessed at the NCA.

Sreesanth had suffered the strain during Kings XI Punjab's final league match

in the Indian Premier League, against Rajasthan Royals in Mohali on May 28. His gave away 44 runs from his three overs in that game, which Punjab won, but bowled only one in the subsequent semi final as Chennai Super Kings chased down an easy target.
Sreesanth featured in all 15 of Punjab's matches in the IPL, and finished with 19 wickets in the tournament, making him joint-second on the leading wicket-takers' chart with Shane Warne, and three behind Sohail Tanvir's 22.
Sreesanth had been at the centre of a controversy during the inaugural edition of the Twenty20 league, having been slapped by his India team-mate Harbhajan Singh after the match between Punjab and the Mumbai Indians in Mohali. Harbhajan was barred from taking further part in the tournament, and the BCCI banned him for five ODIs, while Sreesanth was asked to improve his on-field behaviour.
India play their first match of the tournament, a preparatory event ahead of the Asia Cup later this month, against Pakistan on June 10. No standby had been named in the squad for the tri-series, also involving hosts Bangladesh, and the Asia Cup, but with four other fast bowlers in RP Singh, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar and Irfan Pathan, a replacement might not be necessary.

Source: http://www.circinfo.com/

Sohail Khan replaces Asif in tri-series squad

June 4, 2008, Sohail Khan has replaced Mohammad Asif in Pakistan's 16-man squad for the upcoming tri-series in Bangladesh, which will involve the hosts and India. The series is due to begin from June 8.

Asif was originally selected in the squad on Sunday, the very day he was detained at Dubai airport for suspected possession of an illegal item. It is unlikely now that Asif will be back in time to play in the tournament. Selectors told Cricinfo that they were not aware of Asif's situation when they picked the squad.

Khan has had an impressive first-class season, picking up a Pakistan record 91 wickets in his debut year and he has impressed many with his pace and stamina. He was rewarded for his efforts with an international call-up against Zimbabwe earlier this year in an ODI series. In three ODIs so far, he has picked up four wickets, with a best of 3 for 30 against Bangladesh.

He wasn't part of the original squad because selectors felt that Wahab Riaz's left-arm provided a more seasoned limited-overs option. Khan spent a week at a fast bowlers' camp in Lahore under the eye of Wasim Akram, where it was widely felt that despite his undoubted promise, there were still areas he needed to work on. Outside of his bowling, his poor fielding is considered a serious concern within the selection committee.
The Pakistan squad leaves for Dhaka on June 5.

Source: Cricinfo staff