The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 15-member squad for one Twenty20 and three-match ODI series ahead of Bangladesh cricket team's ensuing tour to South Africa.

The squad includes dependable middle order batsman Roqibul Hassan and pacer Nazmul Hossain, but left out all rounder Mahmudullah Riyad who was a member of the ODI squad that played the home series against New Zealand.

Chief selector Rafiqul Alam announced the squad at the media briefing room of the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) on Tuesday afternoon.

He informed that the squad for the two-match Test Series will be announced later.

Selector cum former national skipper Akram Khan was present on the occasion.

About considering right-arm pacer Nazmul Hossain in place of Dollar Mahmud, the chief selector explained, "Nazmul was part of the squad in the last Australia tour and he bowled well there. He bowled well in the 3rd ODI in that series. Dollar also played three series but he wasn't up to the mark."

He also put pacer Shahadat Hossain ahead of Dollar, saying Shahadat got the priority for his experience and bowling pace.

On the return of Roqibul Hassan, who missed the current home series due to finger injury, the chief selector said: "Roqibul is one of our most dependable batsmen and he is now in Bogra. We hope to get him in the ODI Series even if he fails to play the lone 20/20."

Asked about the performance of skipper Mohammad Ashraful, he said the captain has to lead from the front. "Ashraful played well in the first ODI and was average in the 2nd. I hope, he will soon return to form."

Replying to a question, Rafiqul Alam admitted that they are still facing problem to find the right opening combination.

Explaining, he said: "Still there is a problem. We will try to sort it out. Shahriar Nafees opted himself out from the Australia tour and Nazimuddin got injured. Junaed also played the first match very well then… We want to build up another one."

The selection panel kept the left-handed opener Imrul Kayes in the squad as he had been playing well for the Academy team and also in the National Cricket League. "As a back up opener he is right there," Rafiqul added.

About the exclusion of Mahmudullah Riyad, he reasoned that Riyad's performance of late was not up to the mark although he had been a good player.The chief selector gave the indication that the team combination in the Test series might be slightly different as he thinks that some experienced players can strike the proper balance in the team.

Meanwhile, the Tigers are likely to fly for South Africa on November 1 on a month-long tour to play one Twenty20, three ODIs and two Tests.

This will be the 2nd full fledged tour for Bangladesh in South Africa after their previous tour in the 2002, where they were whitewashed in both the Test and ODI series.

Bangladesh will begin their South Africa tour with a day-night twnety20 match billed for November 5 at New Wanderers Stadium at Johannesburg Stadium.

The three-match ODI Series will then be held with the Day-Night first match slated for November 7 (Senwes Park, Potchefstroom), the 2nd on Nov 9 (Willowmoore Park, Benoni) and the 3rd Day-Night on Nov 12 (Bufallo Park, East London).

In between the ODI and Test series the Tigers will play a two-day match against South Africa A on November 15-16 at Kimberly.

The two Test matches will be held on November 19-23 (Outsurance Oval, Bloemfontein) and November 26-30 (SuperSport Park, Centurion) respectively.

Squad: Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (vice captain), Tamim Iqbal, Zunaed Siddique, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehrab Hossain Jr, Mushfiqur Rahim, Naeem Islam, Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain, Syed Rasel, Nazmul Hossain, Mahbubul Alam, Roqibul Hassan and Imrul Kayes.