Jamaica, December 31: Bangladesh have omitted Mashrafe Mortaza from the squad for next month’s tri-series in Bangladesh, despite his being named in the preliminary squad. Shakib Al Hasan will lead the side with wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim as his deputy in a squad that also features two former ICL players, opener Shahriar Nafees and batsman Aftab Ahmed, and a fresh face in fast bowler Shafiul Islam.
While no official reason was given for Mortaza’s omission, it’s assumed he has not recovered from the knee injury he sustained during the first Test on the tour of West Indies in July. The injury ruled him out of the rest of the tour and the subsequent ODI series against Zimbabwe both home and away. However, he was selected in the 26-man preliminary squad – later reduced to 18 – for the tri-series and was named captain for the tournament as well as the home Test series against India.
The two other players dropped from the preliminary squad of 18 are fast bowler Shahadat Hossain and former ICL player Alok Kapali.
Bangladesh squad: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim (vice-capt and wk), Mohammad Ashraful, Abdur Razzak, Tamim Iqbal, Syed Rasel, Raqibul Hasan, Mahmudullah, Nazmul Hossain, Naeem Islam, Imrul Kayes, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Shahriar Nafees, Aftab Ahmed.
——-Agencies