Bangladesh: World Cup countdown begins with thirty (13 January 1999)

13 January 1999

Bangladesh: World Cup countdown begins with thirty

By Al-Amin

The national selectors are likely to announce a list of 30 players today as part of Bangladesh's preparation for the 1999 England World Cup. The final 19 will be named on February 28 following a residential camp under coach Gordon Greenidge.

Although the three-man selection committee, headed by Enayet Hossain Siraj, looks certain to consider experience at international level, performance in the on-going Premier League will also be a yardstick for the ultimate passage into the dream team.

National captain Aminul Islam and his predecessors, Akram Khan and Faruque Ahmed, are confident of making easy access into the long list, but the prospects of other experienced batsmen like Athar Ali Khan and Minhazul Abedin look gloomy.

Minhaz might still hope for a last-ditch inclusion, but Athar's life-time hope of playing in the World Cup appears as bleak as ever. The graceful right-handed opening batsmen, standing on the wrong end of his career, presently lacks agility in fielding.

While Athar may be a dead horse to the selectors, Mehrab Hossain promises a lot with a solid performance for Abahani this season. The lithe right-hander is certain to be recalled along with two national openers Javed Omar Belim and prolific run-getter Shahriar Hossain.

Faruque, who scored a timely 74 against Brothers, will vie for the 'number three' spot with his Biman-mate, Habibul Bashar, and Bagan's Mushfiqur Rahman. An itchy-feet Al-Shahriar also looks a firm contender for the most-demanding position.

Aminul Islam and Akram Khan are the two uncontested and obvious choices for number four and five followed by all-rounder Khaled Mahmud. Another sure-shot is wicketkeeper Khaled Masood Pilot, also a useful bat.

Mahabubur Rahman Selim has also brightened his chances for a recall in the national team after a long lapse. The experienced middle-order batsman, who scored a match-winning half-century for Kalabagan against Biman, is among the runs after a two turbulent seasons.

The two left-arm spinners Enamul Haq and Mohammed Rafique are no doubt the best tweakers at this moment. Naimur Rahman, who is recovering fast after a major surgery, will be the third recognised spinner in the team. But Naimur might find an unlikely challenger in young Fahim Muntasir.

The last three spots will belong to the seamers. Although Hasibul is going through a lean patch, the experienced right-arm seamer will be the first choice to open with the new ball along with either Safiuddin Ahmed or left-arm seamer Monjurul Islam. Rahul Neeyamur Rashid, excelling for the past couple of seasons, will be a likely choice as an all rounder.

Source :: The Bangladesh Daily Star (https://www.dailystarnews.com)