Bangladesh has faith in Taskin but not in Saifuddin for T20 World Cup squad

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladesh is sure fast bowler Taskin Ahmed will be fit in time for the T20 World Cup in less than three weeks after sustaining a side strain last weekend.

Taskin was made the vice-captain of the squad on Tuesday.

“BCB's medical team was confident that Taskin will recover fully ahead of the World Cup. That’s why we kept him in the squad,” chairman of the national selection panel, Gazi Ashraf Hossain, said. ”But it is certain that he will miss the preceding three-match T20 series against the USA."

Bangladesh has a short series against tournament co-host the United States before it starts the T20 World Cup later than most on June 8 against Sri Lanka in Dallas.

Allrounder Mohammad Saifuddin was the only player to be axed from the squad which played against Zimbabwe, a series that Bangladesh wrapped up 4-1 on Sunday. Pacer Tanzim Hasan was chosen ahead of him.

Ashraf said Saifuddin was considered as a designated death bowler but couldn’t get his yorker right in the Zimbabwe series.

“When we considered what the team needs at the moment, Tanzim was ahead of Saifuddin. It was a close call,” Ashraf said.

"We didn't see enough yorkers in the death overs from Saifuddin. He did it in domestic cricket but didn't do it in against Zimbabwe. Some of his short-pitched balls went over the batters’ head.”

Allrounder Shakib Al Hasan played his first T20s in 10 months against Zimbabwe. He and India captain Rohit Sharma are the only players to have played every T20 World Cup since the inaugural event in 2007.

Liton Das scored only 36 runs in three games against Zimbabwe and his white-ball form has been poor this year. But Ashraf backed Liton to come right.

“Liton has been a bit inconsistent. But he has been working hard with his shortcomings,” he said. "Hopefully he will get back to form very soon.”

Bangladesh's best finish in the T20 World Cup was the Super 8 in 2007.

___

Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Taskin Ahmed, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Tanvir Islam, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan.

___

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket