Shakib to lead Bangladesh at Nidahas Trophy

230

Leading all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan makes a comeback from an injury that ruled him out of the Sri Lanka series, to lead the T20 squad that will play in a tri-series that includes India and Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka next month. But Shakib is stil recuperating from the finger injury and BCB president Nazmul Hasan indicated that he might be available for only “one or two matches.” Meanwhile, legendary West Indian pacer and current bowling coach of Bangladesh – Courtney Walsh will act as interim head coach for the tournament.

Shakib sustained an injury to his left hand during the tri-nation ODI series final in January and later had to receive stitches. The 30-year-old, who was named the Test and T20I skipper of the national team for the Sri Lanka series in February, was subsequently ruled out of the two-match Test series with Mahmudullah leading in his place.

Shakib missed the 2-match T20 series as well, preferring to rest so that he could be available for the Nidahas Trophy. Mahmudullah led the T20I side as well.

There were five changes to the side that last played the 2-match T20 series against Sri Lanka. Shakib, Tamim Imrul Kayes, Nurul Hasan and Mehidy Hasan come in while Mohammad Saifuddin, Zakir Hasan, Atif Hossain and Mohammad Mithun find themselves out of the reckoning.

Zimbabwe-born Richard Halsall who was appointed interim head coach after Chandika Hathurasingha took over Sri Lanka’s national team, had acted as Bangladesh’s fielding and assistant coach since mid-2014. He was appointed as head coach after the board failed to find a replacement for Hathurasingha before the ODI tri-series in January.

While the reason for Halsall’s unavailability for the tournament remains unclear, Walsh takes over on an interim basis.

Bangladesh Squad for Nidahas trophy: Shakib (c), Mahmudullah, Tamim, Soumya, Mushfiqur, Sabbir, Mustafizur, Rubel, Abu Jayed, Taskin, Kayes, Nurul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan, Ariful, Nazmul Islam, Abu Haider