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Independence cup Bangladesh squad named

By Hasan Saeed

08 January 1998


DHAKA, Jan 7: The National selectors have announced a 14-man Bangladesh squad for the Independence Cup Cricket Tournament, scheduled to begin in the capital from Jan 10, Akram Khan, who was retained as captain, will lead the home-side in the tri-nation tourney, which also includes India and Pakistan.

But in the new-look National team, that has gone through a major reshuffle after the disastrous tour of New Zealand, offered a recall for as many as five players.

The most sensational inclusion being off-spinner Shariful Haq Plabon. The right-arm tweaker, a member of the National team during the infamous Kenya ICC safari in 1994 but was left in the lurch for the last four years, will act as the second specialist spinner alongside Mohammad Rafique, a left-arm spinner who missed the bus to Down Under due to injury.

Young opener Shahriar Hossain Bidyut, who made his debut at the highest level in a three-nation tourney in Kenya last year but was not considered for New Zeland due to poor form, was the other notable inclusion in the team as well as veteran all-rounder Khaled Mahmud Sujon and young right-arm seamer Zakir Hossain.

But for Zakir and Sujon, who will act as a third seamer, the Dhaka spectacle will be their debut in official one-day cricket. A doughty Javed Omar is likely to open the innings with Shahriar. A lithe Sanwar Hossain, vice-captain Aminul Islam, a portly skipper Akram Khan and young right-handed batsman Hasanuzzaman, one of the few consistent performers in New Zealand, make up the top order.

Hasibul Hossain and Safiuddin Ahmed Babu, the two right-arm seamers are likely to open the attack. While Khaled Masud Pilot will be the lone man behind the stumps in a team, blended with youth and experience. Slow-left arm spinner Saifullah Gem was the only notable omission. On the other hand, former National skipper Faruque Ahmed, who was called up for the trials after a long absence, was forced to withdraw at the eleventh hour due to a groin injury.

Bangladesh will take on India in the inaugural match on Jan 10.

TEAM: Akam Khan (captain), Aminul Islam (vice-captain), Javed Omar Selim, Shahriar Hossain, Sanwar Hossain, Khaled Mahmudd Sujon, Khaled Masud Pilot, Mohammed Rafique, Hasanuzzaman, Hasibul Hossain, Safiuddin Ahmed, Habibul Bashar Sumon, Zakir Hossain and Shariful Haq Platbon.


Source: Dawn
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Date-stamped : 25 Feb1998 - 14:59