Injured Taskin Ahmed named in Bangladesh's T20 World Series Squad

Taskin Ahmed has been named in Bangladesh’s 12 man squad for the upcoming T20 World Series in spite of his injury. Taskin, who has also been appointed the vice-captain suffered a side strain during the recently concluded series against Zimbabwe and will receive treatment for the next few weeks to return to full fitness before the tournament commences next month. 

Taskin picked up the injury before the fifth T20I against Zimbabwe on May 12 and consequently missed the match, He was adjourned the Player of the Series for his stellar performance in the series. Bangladesh chief selector Gazi Ashraf said the BCB’s medical staff is positive of Taskin’s recovery before the tournament. 

Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead the side that also comprises Shakib Al Hasan, who has been a part of every T20 World Series since the inaugural edition in 2007. Litton Das also found a spot in the squad in spite of torrid form in white ball cricket this year.

Bangladesh have also gone with young right arm pacer Tanzim Hasan over Mohammad Saifuddin, with Ashraf saying that the call was made after evaluating the duo’s performances in the Zimbabwe series. Safiuddin has taken 15 wickets in the Bangladesh T20 League and another eight against Zimbabwe, while Tanim has 12 scalps in these two competitions combined. Ashraf said that Safiduddin’s inability to produce yorkers in the death overs against Zimbabwe was one of the reasons why he was overlooked. 

"We kept Saifuddin in the squad that we submitted to the International Cricket Board on April 30," Ashraf said. "We wanted to observe and analyse Saifuddin's performance in the Zimbabwe series. But when we considered what the team needs at the moment, Tanzim was ahead of Saifuddin. It was a close call between the two.

"We saw Tanzim against Sri Lanka. His dedication and hunger kept him ahead. He is also a good fielder. We didn't see enough yorkers in the death overs from Saifuddin. He did it in domestic cricket but didn't do it against Zimbabwe. Some of his short-pitched balls went over the batters' head. He was the only player who got changed from the squad we submitted to the International Cricket Board on April 30."

Ashraf also backed Litton to return to form after scoring only 79 runs in six T20Is against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. 

We needed a wicketkeeper-batter to replace Litton," Ashraf said. "We need two wicketkeepers in the squad, also considering the concussion sub situation. We discussed Anamul Haque Bijoy in this equation. But despite his poor form, we put our trust in Litton. He has been working on his batting."

Bangladesh are slated to tour the USA for a three match T20I series in May to prepare for the showpiece event.

Bangladesh begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka on June 8 in Dallas. 

Bangladesh squad:

Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Taskin Ahmed (vc), Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Tanvir Islam, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan

Travelling reserves: Hasan Mahmud, Afif Hossain