BCB boss hints on Bangladesh squad for World Cup 2023

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan has a wide reputation of having the final say in the Bangladesh national team selection.

The national team selection process involves the national selection panel, the head coach and the captain but no squad is finalized without the approval of the BCB boss.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is now just months away and keeping to the norm Nazmul hinted the possible 15-member Bangladesh squad for the world event.

Speaking to the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Thursday, in the sidelines of the final match of the Physically Challenged Cricket Tournament 2023, Najmul said the skeleton of the squad has already been confirmed.

Nazmul informed Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal, Shakib al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto and the young Towhid Hridoy are the six that are already part of the squad.

Nazmul believes there should be Mahidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud and Ebadot Hossain as well.

While speaking about the remaining spots Nazmul however passed the responsibility to the journalists that were present during the interaction.

“It will be interesting to know what you [journalists] all are thinking. I would like to know the squad and the playing XI that you are thinking,” said Nazmul.

Curiosity in the arena is high whether experienced all-rounder Mahmudullah will be able to make a cut into the squad for the world cup or not.

“Media at the moment is loudest speaking about the possible squad for the world cup and we are happy about it. It helps us in some ways to be honest. It is however different in the social media.

There are many who seems to have very poor knowledge on cricket but still they keep on making their opinions.” “If we play five bowlers then there is the scope to play one extra batter.

[Yasir Ali] Rabbi is part of the squad at the moment but Mahmudullah, Afif [Hossain] and Mosaddek [Hossain Saikat] can get into the team any moment. In such situation it is always better to have an all-rounder in the XI as he will add to the bowling strength.

But all these are my opinion, the final decision rests with Nannu [national chief selector Minhajul Abedin],” the BCB chief added.

Mahmudullah last played for Bangladesh in ODIs in March this year during the home series against England. Since then the right-handed middle-order batter cum off-spinner has missed two series, home and away series against Ireland, where six ODIs have been played.

Even if Mahmudullah seals a spot in the world cup squad there is a good chance for the stalwart that he might not be picked in the playing XI.

Speaking about the chance of not selecting a senior campaigner like Mahmudullah in the playing XI, Nazmul insisted on the need of changing such a negative mentality.

“We have to come out of this mentality. The selection can be on the batting form of Afif and Mahmudullah. Rabbi has not been able to perform well since his return from injury.”

"If you are thinking of towling then Afif and Mosaddek will be ahead in the competition. Mahmudullah can bowl too. If you are considering fielding then Afif should be at the top and then Mosaddek is ahead of Mahmudullah,” Nazmul concluded.

The deadline to announce the squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 however has not yet been set by the International Cricket Council [ICC].

With the event set to take place in India, it is understood that the governing body of world cricket is in dilemma over the tension between two political and cricket arch-rival India and Pakistan.

Pakistan Cricket Board [PCB] chairman Najam Sethi recently threatened to not participate in the World Cup if India doesn't agree to in the Asia Cup 2023 which is to be hosted by Pakistan.

The world cup is scheduled to take place in India in October-November this year but ICC has not been able to declare even the fixture of the tournament yet.

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