Soumya, Mominul, Mosaddek still in our World Cup plans - Steve Rhodes

Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque and Mosaddek Hossain are still a part of Bangladesh's World Cup plans, according to head coach Steve Rhodes.

The three players were dropped for the ODI series against Zimbabwe after underperforming in the Asia Cup last month. Rhodes said that he is closely following their performance in domestic competition, and will be present when the touring Zimbabweans take on the Soumya-led BCB XI on Friday. Soumya has scored a century, two half-centuries and had also taken a five-wicket haul in the ongoing NCL first-class competition.

"When people go out of the team, they feel lonely, down, disappointed and neglected," Rhodes said. "They feel neglected. We don't expect it from Soumya and Mominul who are quality cricketers. They can push their way back into the team. Mosaddek has also gone out. I will be at the practice game [on Friday].

"I was delighted that Soumya got two 70s and a five-wicket haul in the NCL game. The timing is terrific. I was in contact with him. He is the type of player who can push out some of our players. They have to keep performing and then they can get a go."

Rhodes also said Ariful Haque, Mohammad Saifuddin and Nazmul Islam - relatively inexperienced in international cricket - have to show him that they belong at the highest level.

Ariful, who will feature for BCB XI, awaits his ODI debut despite having been in the Asia Cup squad. Given that the Bangladesh team management are now focused on having a bowling allrounder at No. 7, he is in direct competition with Saifuddin.

"[Ariful] is another batsman who bowls," Rhodes said. "He made double-century in the first NCL game, which is fantastic. Ariful, Soumya and Saifuddin are all the same type of players. Ariful is definitely a player we would like to see. If we don't test them out, how do we know if they are any good or not?"

Saifuddin could get the nod and is being seen as the possible replacement for captain Mashrafe Mortaza in case of an injury. "We think Saifuddin is a very good allrounder. He has the ability to perform at the highest level. He has had a taste of international cricket. He has gone away, and came back into the team. We expect him to be more matured.

"Mashrafe has had his injuries. He picked up an injury recently. We need to think about keeping someone ready as his replacement. We want to give Saifuddin some cricket so that he can be prepared. I like his approach and attitude and he looks stronger."

Rhodes is also confident that left-arm spinner Nazmul can partner Mehidy Hasan in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan. "[Nazmul Islam] Apu is a quality spin bowler. He has shown that in the shortest format, and we know that he can do well in the ODI format. If Apu plays, we have two quality spinners.

"Shakib is an unbelievably talented spinner, batsman, fielder and tactician and he can't be replaced. We have to make up in other areas in the team. There will be a bit more responsibility on Mehidy [Hasan]."