Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal clarified that they are not planning for the forthcoming World Cup without their senior campaigner Mahmudullah rather they would be keen to incorporate him in the marquee competition starting in this year’s October-November in India.
Mahmudullah’s inclusion came under scrutiny following his dismal outing in the three one-day internationals against the touring England, where he finished with 31, 32, and 8, which impelled the Bangladesh management to drop him in the following home series against Ireland.
They further overlooked him in their next three matches against Ireland, scheduled to start in Chelmsford on Tuesday as well, that provided a belief that the veteran may also fail to make his cut in the approaching global event.
‘I have heard a lot about this. I don’t think so, as, of course, he is in our plans. Although he is not in the team, he is doing well in the Dhaka Premier League,’ said Tamim.
He further asserted that the squad that would be formed for the upcoming Asia Cup would mostly remain the same for the World Cup as well.
‘You might get an idea when we form the squad for the Asia Cup, which will be largely similar to the World Cup.’
Following the drop out of Mahmudullah, the Bangladesh management is desperately looking for a finisher in the ODIs.
However, they opted to send Mushfiqur at number six in their last home series against Ireland, a position that he gave up six years ago.
The last time Mushfiqur batted at that position was back in December 2017 against New Zealand in Christchurch, but since then, he has batted mostly at the number four position.
Mushfiqur scored 44 runs after coming at six against Ireland in the series opener before he showed his real class in the second game with a blazing unbeaten 60-ball 100 to prove his worth in his new role.
However, Tamim hinted that Mushfiqur’s current position is not everlasting, as he might be promoted or demoted for the sake of the team combination, adding that he would be batting at six for now.
‘He is batting at six, no position is permanent. Things are not like that, he wouldn’t be able to bat four and five. The circumstances of a match would determine it [batting position].’
‘However, he would be batting at six for the time being.’
Bangladesh also expressed his desire to win the series against the Irish, although they couldn’t visit their playing ground [the County Cloud Ground] and also failed to appear in the lone warm-up tie as it was washed out due to rain on Friday.
‘Things are not under our control. May be we couldn’t do our best preparation because of the rough weather. We are aiming for a sole objective, and that is playing better cricket and winning.’
