Bangladesh's T20 World Cup squad selection raised eyebrows with the inclusion of young pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib over the more experienced all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin.
Both head coach Chandika Hathurusingha and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto confirmed that the decision ultimately came down to pace, a crucial factor in the fast-paced world of T20 cricket.
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Before Hathurusingha and Shanto's comments, Bangladesh’s chief selector, Gazi Ashraf Hossain, had already shed light on the selection panel's preference for Tanzim. He stated that Saifuddin hadn't effectively executed the plan set for him during the Zimbabwe series at home. The head coach and captain echoed this sentiment in their recent statements.
“What stood out for Tanzim was that he's able to bowl a bit faster. He's quicker than Saifuddin,” Hathurusingha said, highlighting the team's emphasis on bowlers who can generate extra speed.
Shanto echoed this sentiment, confirming that the team had had extensive discussions about the selection.
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“In the case of Saifuddin and Tanzim, Tanzim’s bowling pace is a bit higher than Saifuddin's,” Shanto said. “Both were very close. Our confidence in Tanzim was a bit higher.”
While acknowledging it was a tough decision, Shanto explained that after considering various factors, including conditions and team composition, they felt Tanzim offered a better overall package.
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“Overall, if we think about it, considering the conditions, we felt that Tanzim would be a better option,” Shanto further added.
With the T20 World Cup taking place in the USA, a relatively unknown cricketing landscape for the Bangladesh team, the selection of bowlers who can exploit any potential pace-friendly conditions appears to be a strategic decision.
Despite missing out on the chance to play in the World Cup, Saifuddin extends his good wishes for the team. On Wednesday, he posted on his social media, sharing a group photo of the World Cup squad: “Good luck to the Bangladesh team.”