The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Monday announced a 15-member national cricket team for the first two ODI matches in the upcoming tour of New Zealand.

The BCB has appointed Mohammad Ashraful as captain and Mashrafee Bin Mortaza as vice captain of the national team till December 2008.

Promising left-handed opening batsman Junaed Siddiqui Imroze is the only new face in the ODI squad after his successful Twenty20 World Cup campaign while pacer Nazmul Hossain came back in the squad again after a long gap.

Former national vice-captain Shahriar Nafees and veteran spinner Mohammad Rafique have been left out of the squad.

The BCB also named nine standby players in the squad for possible replacement in the third ODI or in the test series.

Bangladesh team, comprising 15 cricketers and 10 officials, is expected to leave here for New Zealand on December 12.

BCB's chief selector Rafiq-ul-Alam announced the Bangladesh squad at a press conference on Monday evening after getting the approval from BCB.

National selector Naimur Rahman Durjoy and BCB member Ishtiaque Ahmed were also present.

The chief selector told the newsmen that they selected the team not based on seniority or juniority, but picked up the team with skillful players suitable for the New Zealand condition.

Replying to a question about the exclusion of Shahriar Nafees, Mohammad Rafique and Khaled Mashud Pilot, he said Shahriar Nafees and Mohammad Rafique are no doubt good players with good records. But after the India tour to Bangladesh, they are not in good form although they have a fair chance to come back.

About Pilot, Rafiq-ul-Alam said, Pilot might come back in the 3rd ODI or in the test series.

He said they named the team with three opening batsmen, five middle order batsmen, four pacers, one specialized spinner and one wicket keeper. "We have included only one specialized spinner as all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will also act as spinner."

Bangladesh Squad: Mohammad Ashraful (Captain), Mashrafee Bin Mortaza (Vice Captain), Javed Omer Belim, Tushar Imran, Khan Abdur Razzak, Shakib Al Hasan, Syed Rasel, Aftab Ahmed Chowdhury, Mushfiqur Rahim, Kazi Shahadat Hossain Rajib,

Junaed Siddiqui, Farhad Reza, Mehrab Hossain Jr, Tamim Iqbal Khan and Nazmul Hossain.

Standby: Rajin Salah Alam, Shahriar Nafees Ahmed, Kazi Habibul Bashar, Khaled Mashud Pilot, Mohammed Rafique, Mahmudullah Riad, Dollar Mahmud, Sajedul Islam and Enamul Haque Jr.

Ahmed Sajjadul Alam Bobby and Jamie Siddons will accompany the team as manager and coach.

Fixture:

1st ODI - Dec 26 - Eden Park, Auckland

2nd ODI - Dec 28 - McLean Park, Napier

3rd ODI - Dec 31 - Queenstown Events Centre

1st Test - Jan 4-8 - University Oval, Dunedin

2nd Test - Jan 12-16 - Basin Reserve, Wellington