Tigers thrilled with their fast bowler Taskin Ahmed back in the squad hopes that a long lay -off will not hinder their form as they take on spirited Afghanistan in the first ODI of the one-day international series at Sher-e Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur in the city on Sunday.
Bangladesh has last played an international match during the ICC World Twenty20 in India in April this year and has played no one-dayers since hosting Zimbabwe in November last year, reports BSS.
The Afghanistan series was arranged by BCB to give Bangladesh some cricket ahead of a more serious engagement against England, who will be visiting the country in October for three ODIs and two Tests.
Coach Chandika Hathurusinghe said the team’s main focus was to get back to rhythm as soon as possible. “Not playing for a long time is a bit of an Achilles’ heel for us,” Hathurusinghe said Saturday. “That is what we are trying to get over, that uncertainty. The first match is vital for us. We have no concern over any skill part – batting, bowling or fielding. “It is all about the mental side of the game – getting into the game, playing in front of a crowd for your country.”
The home side was buoyed by the return of pace bowler Taskin Ahmed, who was cleared to bowl in international cricket on Friday after he successful test with an improve action. National selectors drafted Taskin immediately for their squad against Afghanistan. “The quality of Taskin’s skill will benefit any team in the world cricket,” said Hathurusinghe.
“He is one of our best bowlers. So he is coming and we are very relieved to have this ban off.”
Skipper Mashrafe Mortaza said Taskin’s return will help the team overcome the absence of Mustafizur Rahman, who has been sidelined for months after shoulder surgery. “Frankly speaking, we will miss Fizz,” said Mortaza, referring to Mustafizur’s nickname. “But our current attack is similar to what we had in the World Cup last year. This is another chance for us to prove ourselves,” he said.
Afghanistan team looks to be inspired side as they have recorded a comfortable 66 runs victory against BCB XI yesterday at Fatulla Stadium. They have a pleasant memory at this ground as they defeated Bangladesh in Asia cup By 32 runs in 2014.
They have known to gun downed big teams in the past, only in the last T20 World Cup they beat mighty West Indies who went to become the champion of that competition on March 27, 2016 at Nagpur. A team who have a strong bowling both in pace and spin would love to catch Tigers batter for a low score to begin the series on a winning note.
All three matches are taking place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, with the second game on 28 September and the finale on 1 October.
Squad: Mashrafe Mortaza, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mosaddek Hossain, Nasir Hossain, Taijul Islam, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain and Taskin Ahmed.
Afghanistan: Asghar Stanikzai , Amir Hamza, Dawlat Zadran, Fareed Ahmad, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ihsanullah Karim Janat, Mirwais Ashraf, Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Shahzad, Najibullah Zadran, Naveen-ul-Haq, Nawroz Mangal, Rahmat Shah, Rashid Khan, Samiullah Shenwari, and Shabir Noori.
