Najmul Hossain Shanto reflects on squad changes ahead of the Sri Lanka series. “We’ve got enough spinners. Rishad [Hossain] bowls well. The reason for taking Jaker Ali is that I believe the team requires a middle-order batter,” Shanto stated.
As the countdown to the first T20I begins at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Monday, March 4, Bangladesh is ready to begin their three-game series against Sri Lanka. Bangladesh has made numerous changes to their squad ahead of the series opener.
Prior to the series, Bangladesh changed their squad to include wicketkeeper-batsman Jaker Ali Anik instead of injured off-spinner Aliss Al Islam. Speaking about the change, newly appointed captain Najmul Hossain Shanto emphasised the importance of having a middle-order batsman like Jaker.
“We have enough spinners. Rishad [Hossain] is bowling well. The reason to take Jaker Ali is because, I think, the team needs a middle-order batter. All selectors and coaches felt that another middle-order batter was required, and that’s what led to Jaker’s inclusion,” Shanto was quoted as saying by Daily Star.
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Saifuddin performed very well after returning from injury, there will be opportunities: Shanto
Moreover, Najmul Shanto touched upon the omission of in-form all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin from Bangladesh’s squad. Saifuddin’s outstanding outings in the recently-concluded BPL (Bangladesh Premier League) guided Comilla Victorians to the tournament’s final.
Nonetheless, despite his commendable performances, the all-rounder failed to secure a spot in Bangladesh’s squad. Skipper Shanto revealed that the team’s physios expressed concerns about the potential risk of playing the in-form star due to his recent return from injury. They assured him that there would be numerous opportunities for the player, especially with the DPL (Dhaka Premier League) approaching.
“What I feel about Saifuddin is that he performed very well after returning from injury. But him playing such a series after coming back from injury, all of our physios felt it would be risky. Hopefully, he will continue like this, and there is a DPL [Dhaka Premier League] ahead, then there will be opportunities,” Shanto concluded.
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