‘Jayed could be our surprise element in WC’

The Bangladesh 15-man squad for the World Cup 2019 in England and Wales has been announced and discussions have been doing the rounds as to whether this is the Tigers’ best possible squad for the world event.

Former Bangladesh captain and national team selector Faruk Ahmed believes the squad is pretty much balanced, and it is possibly the best side considering the current situation.  

“I think the team is good, it’s a balanced side. The team is being selected with the best possible players at the moment. If we had added a leg-spinner in the squad, then it would have been better. We have some quality players in the squad. Among them, some have already played three World Cups, so I hope our team will perform well in the World Cup. My best wishes for the team in the upcoming World Cup,” Faruk said to the media in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Thursday.

The Tigers picked uncapped pacer Abu Jayed Rahi ahead of the experienced Shafiul Islam and the yet to be fully fit Taskin Ahmed. 

Chief @BCBtigers selector Minhajul Abedin said this is Bangladesh's best possible team going into the @ICC @cricketworldcup 2019 in England and Wales. Do you agree?#CRICKET #WC #WORLD #CUP #WORLDCUP #WORLDCUPCRICKET #CRICKETWORLDCUP #CRICKETWC #BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESH pic.twitter.com/ZydJfwOb0D

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) April 17, 2019

Faruk believes Jayed could turn out to be a surprise element for the Tigers in the tournament, and can add some extra value to the pace attack.

"I think Rahi is a good pick. I believe a surprise element in the team is good. In the international teams, each and every player’s game has been sorted out in recent times. Rahi could be our surprise element in that sense as he has not played any ODI yet. But he is performing consistently in domestic cricket in the last five years. He will receive help from the conditions as a bowler. And his experience in domestic cricket will also help him. So I hope he will perform well," Faruk added. 

The selection panel led by Faruk selected young players like Tamim Iqbal, Shakib al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim in the 2007 World Cup. 

Bangladesh team will start their World Cup preparation with a training camp starting Monday.

Uncapped #Abu #Jayed included in #Tigers’ #World #Cup squad https://t.co/pJZiA5PKk5

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) April 16, 2019

The Tigers will fly to Ireland after the training camp and will take part in a tri-nation ODI series with host Ireland and the West Indies. 

The tournament will start in the first week of May.

Bangladesh team will then travel to England to participate in the World Cup. 

They will play their first match against South Africa on June 2.