Five-star Jayed gets WC boost

Published at 02:47 pm May 15th, 2019

Bangladesh's Abu Jayed bowls during their tri-series match against Ireland in Dublin Wednesday AFP

Bangladesh will play the final against the Windies and although the race to bag a World Cup spot is still far from over, Rahi will feel a lot more confident after a shiny performance Wednesday

The inclusion of paceman Abu Jayed Rahi in Bangladesh’s 15-man World Cup squad raised some eyebrows, but a five-wicket haul in just his second ODI may justify his addition for the gala event.

Rahi, the 25-year old, who made an unimpressive ODI debut against the West Indies in the ongoing tri-nation series in Ireland, returned with figure of 9-0-58-5 to help restrict the opponent under the 300-run mark in favorable batting conditions at the Clontarf Cricket Club ground in Dublin Wednesday.

Mashrafe bin Mortaza, Rubel Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman are the frontline pacers for the Tigers, subject to fitness, in the forthcoming World Cup in England and Wales.

But, as the tournament is a long one and the conditions are expected to support the faster bowlers more than the slower ones, a back-up pacer is crucial for the Tigers’ team balance and Rahi, despite his inexperience in the ODI arena, got the nod of the selectors over others.

Ace all-rounder @Sah75official conceded 23 runs in one over, which is his most expensive over in his ODI career of 198 matches.https://t.co/xKR3K5VHUT #BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESH #CRICKET #BANGLADESHCRICKET #SHAKIBALHASAN #SHAKIB #BANGLADESHCRICKETTEAM #BANGLADESHTEAM
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) May 15, 2019

When the World Cup squad was announced last month, Taskin Ahmed and Shafiul Islam were also in contention but the former was dropped due to injury problems while the latter, the experienced campaigner, was out of form in domestic cricket.

On the other hand Rahi, who has picked up 11 Test wickets so far in five matches after making his debut last July, looked impressive with some good performances in the Dhaka Premier League, and was included in the World Cup squad.

However, Taskin also accompanied the team in Ireland and as the team management still has the chance to make changes in the World Cup squad before next Thursday, the lanky fast bowler still have some hope of entering it.

It was learnt that, a part of team management is considering Taskin for the World Cup squad.

@Irelandcricket opener Paul Stirling was dropped twice in back-to-back deliveries and the right-hander made good use of his double life in the end with the eighth ODI century of his career.https://t.co/ysz1scgy2F #IRELAND #CRICKET #IRELANDCRICKET #PAULSTIRLING #PAUL #STIRLING
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) May 15, 2019

Taskin is gradually returning to get his fitness back and the selectors are thinking about giving him a chance at the expense of Rahi, considering the former’s 32-ODI experience.

Even, BCB president Nazmul Hasan addressed to the media on the matter and informed that the decision will be taken after the tri-series as to whether Taskin or Jayed will feature in the final squad, bearing in mind their form and fitness.

Under all these considerations, Rahi made his debut and it did not go well as he conceded 56 runs without taking any wickets in nine overs.

That exerted more pressure on the man from Sylhet but he responded in the best possible manner, putting up a five-star performance in the next outing.

Bangladesh will play the final against the Windies and although the race to bag a World Cup spot is still far from over, Rahi will feel a lot more confident after a shiny performance Wednesday.

MATCH 6

IRELAND INNINGS R B

Stirling c Liton b Jayed 130 141

McCollum c Liton b Rubel 5 10

Balbirnie c Mushfiq b Jayed 20 20

Porterfield c Liton b Jayed 94 106

O'Brien c Tamim b Jayed 3 4

Adair hit wicket b Saifuddin 11 7

Wilson c Shakib b Jayed 12 6