BCB

Mehrab to lead Bangladesh A

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 15-member Bangladesh A team for the three-match one-day series against Maharashtra Cricket Association.

Left-handed Mehrab Hossain will lead the team while all-rounder Sohrawordi Shuvo has been named his deputy.

The Rafiqul Alam-led selection panel included players like Nafis Iqbal and Hannan Sarker, who were out-of-favour for a long time, but ignored middle-order batsman Tushar Imran.

"We actually considered those players who were not selected for the national side but performed well in the domestic competitions as well as some promising players. Tushar missed most of the domestic matches due to injury," explained Rafiq.

"We did not have much options because a number of players are involved in the academy side. On the other hand there are some injuries and even Imrul Kayes and Nazmul Hossain are still not hundred per cent fit," he added.

The most interesting name on the list was off-spinning all-rounder Mohammad Sharifullah. "He is an average cricketer but performed well on the domestic circuit over the last two-three years. We need these type of players, especially when he is an off-spinner," the chief selector went on.

The one-day matches will be held on May 22, 23 and 25 at the Birshrestha Shahid Motiur Rahman Stadium in Khulna.

The second string Bangladesh side will also play two four-dayers against the visitors.

SQUAD
Mehrab Hossain (captain), Sohrawordi Shuvo (vice-captain), Imrul Kayes, Nafis Iqbal, Nazmus Sadat, Hannan Sarker, Faisal Hossain, Mohammad Sharifullah, Mahbubul Alam, Nazmul Hossain, Dollar Mahmud, Arafat Sunny, Tareq Aziz Khan, Sahagir Hossain (wicketkeeper) and Nazmul Hossain Milon.