Poor selection, says old guards

Former cricketers and national cricket captains blasted the poor selection of the World Cup team, especially the exclusion of long-serving wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud from the 15-member squad which was named on Tuesday.

Mashud apart, presence of Javed Omer and Rajin Saleh came as a shock for them.

"Just after his arrival Bangladesh coach, (Dav) Whatmore promised that his main target was to build a team for the 2007 World Cup. If this is his squad, all I can say is that I am sorry. I can't understand what kind of team the selectors have picked for such a big event," said a surprised Akram Khan.

"It was simply out of my imagination. How they dropped a wicketkeeper like Pilot (Khaled Mashud) for such a big tournament because as a keeper he is still unparalleled. I think everybody can understand how important a keeper's role is in the team," he said about his long associate in the national side.

"I am really confused why Javed (Omar) is there and Tushar Imran is out of the side. The selectors have just contradicted their previous policy by selecting this team," he sighed.

On the other hand, Roquibul Hassan found 'lack of imagination' in the selection of the team and wondered about the inclusion of four openers in a team.

"I'm disappointed by the exclusion of (Khaled) Mashud. Two wicketkeepers could have been there if they have real faith in Mushfiqur Rahim's batting. They simply contradicted by taking (Javed) Omar and (Rajin) Saleh considering their experience when they ignored Mashud for same reason," said Roquibul.

"Tamim is the right choice because he is a very exciting batsman and has the ability to capitalise on the early fielding restrictions to pull off surprise against any big team. But I think it makes no sense to include four openers. The selectors actually failed to fulfil the expectations of everybody," he said.

Another former national skipper Gazi Ashraf Hossain, however, opined that the exclusion of Mashud was pre-planned.

"You just tell me why the team think-tank gave Mushfiqur Rahim a promotion to the top-order in the recently concluded Zimbabwe tour? I think it was to establish the young stumper a place in the team. When you have player like Sakib (Al Hasan) and Bashar (Habibul) in the middle-order, then it made no sense to promote Mushfiqur in the batting order," said an angry Gazi Ashraf.

"Is this a proper way to treat a player like Mashud? I think they just forgot about his contribution to the country's cricket. It is not unlikely to see a batsman going through a bad patch. If they have good intention then they could give him enough chances against the lesser sides to improve his batting form," he explained.

"Javed cannot be considered in the one-day side when we go to win the match. I think Bashar should have a strong stand in favour of Mashud because it is not unlikely to see his exit in the same way," he added.
Bangladesh's first Test captain Naimur Rahman was however not sure whether off the field affair between Mashud and the selectors played any role behind the tough decision.

"It is an open secret that the understanding between Pilot (Mashud) and the selectors is not good. I don't find any single reason behind the exclusion of Pilot. Actually what selectors did with the team selections for last one or two years was totally different with the World Cup team," said the former all-rounder.

"Tushar has not got due chances in the side as well," he added.
Former national paceman Samiur Rahman also vented his frustration on the overall selection, particularly the snub of Mashud.

"He could have been picked even if he (Mashud) is injured. There is still a month left for the hand injury to heal so I see no reason for not taking two wicketkeepers," said the burly fast bowler of the 1980s.

"If Rahim is rated as a good batsman, then keep him in the squad solely as a batter.

"I am surprised with Rajin and Javed being picked. We all know that both these players are more suited to the longer version of the international game."