Sabbir Rahman, Taskin Ahmed Returns to the Bangladesh Squad for the ODIs Against New Zealand
Updated - 24 Jan 2019, 12:23 PM
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have decided to name Sabbir Rahman in the 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand after BCB reduced his international ban. Meanwhile, BCB suspended Sabbir for six months in the wake of his continuous off-field issues. The latest, however, was a social media saga when a fan alleged Rahman of threatening him.
According to the sanction, Sabbir Rahman was likely to sit out until February. However, chief selector Minhajul Abedin admitted that the disciplinary committee have decided to reduce his ban by a month, and as a result, they drafted the dashing batsman in the squad. Meanwhile, Sabbir Rahman was a going through a lean patch in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League with only one fifty-plus score in six outings.
Mortaza insisted to include Sabbir
Minajul Abedin while speaking to the press, admitted that limited-overs skipper Mashrafe Mortaza insisted in including Sabbir Rahman in the squad. And as a result, they have accepted the offer and named him in the team. He also noted that they had included him with the ICC World Cup in England and Wales in mind. Sabbir is a handy customer in the lower-order who can clear the infield with ease.
“Let me make clear one thing about Sabbir. He was included due to strong insistence of the captain [Mortaza]. He firmly requested us to include him, and we have agreed with the captain,” Abedin said.
“The team wants someone in the squad who can bat lower in the order with the ability to handle the pacers well. We have included him keeping the New Zealand tour and the World Cup in mind. Let us see what he can do. The captain of the team and we are also confident about him,” he added.
Taskin Ahmed makes a comeback
The 23-year-old Taskin Ahmed, who impressed during his initial days, fell out the place in 2017 and the selectors decided to leave him out from the national squad. Although he came back in the Nidahas Trophy in 2018 but failed to make a mark.
However, he has been in great form in the ongoing BPL picking 14 wickets in seven games which paved his way into the national team.
“Taskin was suffering from injuries but he was under our rehabilitation programme. We have nursed him enough [for him] to get back to his old form. He has been doing in BPL, and that’s how he came back in contention,” said Abedin.
Moreover, Abu Jayed and Taskin Ahmed also made their way into the Test squad.
ODI squad:
Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Shakib al Hasan (VC), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehidy Hasan, Md Mithun, Md Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed, Sabbir Rahman and Nayeem Hasan
Test squad:
Shakib Al Hasan (C), Mahmudullah, (VC), Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Md Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Jayed Rahi, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Nayeem Hasan
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Sabbir Rahman Taskin Ahmed
