Bangladesh- Afghanistan Series

No Mahmudullah in 26-member camp for Afghanistan series

Online Desk

Online Desk
প্রকাশের তারিখ: 19:05 সোমবার, 29 মে, 2023

|| CF DESK ||

Bangladesh cricketers have stared a camp, which is called 'Pre-Series Camp' ahead of the upcoming Afghanistan series at home next month. 26 cricketers have been called for the camp but veteran all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad is not included in that camp.

Roni Talukder, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Mohammad Naeem, Afif Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Hasan Mahmud were seen practicing in Mirpur today.

National team spin bowling coach Rangana Herath's 'variation camp' was also held in Mirpur, where Tanveer Islam, Sheikh Mahedi Hasan and seven spinners from the BCB high-performance department participated and assistant coach Nic Pothas guided the batting practice session.

Apart from this, there are five cricketers from 'A' team, who are currently in Sylhet for West Indies series, will join later.

“What happens in the pre-series camp, usually if there is time before a series, we do such a camp. Then we proceed format-wise accordingly,” said team manager Nafees Iqbal.

“We have now been given a team of 26. 5 of them are in 'A' team. The rest are here. Because, 'A' team has a game. Will join us after a day or two of rest when the game ends on the 3rd (June). Then all of us will practice together” he added.

When asked why Mahmudullah was not present in the practice, Nafees replied, “I don't think this question is for me. It's up to the selectors.”

With the 2023 ODI World Cup in mind, Mahmdullah's exclusion was surprising.

However, Bangladesh ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal had mentioned Mahmudullah will be considered for the number seven spot in the batting order and the BCB president, Nazmul Hasan Papon, echoed similar sentiments.

Mahmudullah has taken leave for Hajj pilgrimage as he will be in Saudi Arabia from 22nd June to 5th July.

Jalal Yunus, Chairman of Cricket Operations Committee, feels that there will be no conflict with the possibility of Mahmudullah being in the World Cup squad with this leave.

“Look, this is a very sensitive issue. He wants to perform Hajj, we all do. Everyone has to compromise here. Performing Hajj is obligatory for us Muslims. He is going to do the duty, we must support him and take him into consideration. Will he be in the World Cup squad or not it will be on the selectors’ hand. But for this (Hajj) it should not be a problem.” Jalal said to the media at BCB on Monday.

Mahmudullah retired from Tests and now plays only white ball cricket. The ODI series against Afghanistan will begin on July 5. In that case, Mahmudullah is not supposed to be in this home series.

Mahmudullah has not been in the ODI team since the England series at home in February. Mahmudullah was also dropped from the T20 team after the Asia Cup last year.

Following an expected squad announcement for the lone Test against Afghanistan, which will be started on June 14, the Tigers will begin practice in full swing with the official training session from June 04 with head coach Chandika Hathurusingha.