Happy-go-lucky Bashar warns seniors

The fate of the 15 cricketers to make Bangladesh's World Cup squad will be finalised when the national selectors meet Tuesday.

There was, however, warning for a few veterans as Tigers captain Habibul Bashar, on return of their successful tour of Zimbabwe, hinted that no one would be selected for experience alone.

Happy with the performance of his boys in their 3-1 first-ever series victory in Zimbabwe, Bashar thought that the tour has made the job easier for the selection panel.

The Faruque Ahmed-led panel including the 34-year-old captain and coach Dav Whatmore were scheduled to sit on Monday but cancelled the meeting after the team's arrival delayed for almost four hours.

The big question in the selection process will be whether fit-again wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud will be in the side to make his third successive appearance in cricket's showpiece or not. It is now an open secret that the selectors have little faith in his batting ability and if he ultimately gets the nod, it would be only for his experience with gloves.

If anybody was hoping to get any message regarding Bashar's intention about the team selection then there was hardly anything optimistic for his long-time associate in the side.

"Experience is important but performance is the first priority for selection. I can assure you nobody will go with the team who has the experience but lack in performance. Anyone who is performing will be selected for the team," said a confident Bashar.

The selection of former skipper Mashud took a turn for the worse when young Mushfiqur Rahim showed his mettle during the four-match series by playing two valuable knocks in crisis moments.

Back to the series outcome, the Bangladesh skipper said their success in Zimbabwe had given them the much-needed confidence they needed ahead of the World Cup in the Caribbean.

"I was a member of the World Cup team four years back and then we had hardly any ambition rather than playing good cricket. The scenario is totally changed now after we have already won a number of matches in the recent past," said Bashar.

"We are going to the World Cup with lot of confidence this time, especially after the away series victory and definitely our target is to make a second round berth. We know it will not be an easy task to beat at least one team like India and Sri Lanka to make our dream come true. But I think there is hardly any meaning to our trip if we have no target. I will not be surprised if my team beat any big fish in the competition."

Although his side survived scares especially after the ignominious eight-wicket defeat in the second game before clinching the series, Bashar was exuberant with his team's success in Harare.

"Our first target was to win the series against a full Test playing nation in their own den and when we had frustratingly failed last time. I think it was a good tour and I am happy with the overall performance. It was a total team effort to win the series.

"If we won all the matches then we have played a series without any test. The most important thing was that we bounced back from the back foot on several occasions. The conditions in Harare was also tough," said Bashar, who made his career best 78 in the first match.

One of selectors Golam Nawsher Prince, who accompanied the team in Harare, heaped praise on Mushfiqur and said he was impressed by the way the Bogra lad was gradually improving his performance.

"He (Mushfiqur) served the team his best when it was needed most in two difficult situations. We changed his batting order twice and thankfully he served the team purposes. He also improved his keeping as he missed only one stumping chance in the entire series. I am really impressed by his gradual improvement," said the former national paceman.

Also team physio Paul Close informed that he was confident about the fitness of Mohammad Rafique and Mohammad Sharif.

Rafique badly bruised his nose during the second game while Sharif had suffered a thigh strain in the third match.