Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)
A new version of Mehidy in making
He was a complete allrounder during his age-level cricket. He used to bat at number four and amassed ample runs. He used to bowl 10 overs in 50-over games regularly and scalped many wickets. His bowling was more effective than his batting. Still, the 23-year-old allrounder never was a fan of the idea that he could break into the world’s top bowlers.
And yet, Mehidy Hasan Miraz is now the number two ODI bowler in the world as per the latest ranking updates by the International Cricket Council published on May 26. In his immediate reaction, Mehidy said: “Praise be to Allah. I’m excited to know that I’m now the number two ODI bowler in the world, but I never thought that I could reach this height.”
Read:Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 2021: 3rd ODI Match Preview
There were many reasons behind Mehidy’s thinking of himself that he couldn’t become a top-class bowler. One of the main of those reasons was his mindset. He had been thinking only to contain the runs for a long time. He never believed that he could be the bowler who can take wickets and trap the batsmen the way he wants, only bringing some changes into his bowling.
But things started to change ahead of Bangladesh’s last tour to Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series when spin-bowling consultant Daniel Vettori was unable to join the team due to travel restrictions imposed to tackle the Covid-19 situation around the globe. It came as a blessing in disguise for Mehidy who got the service of his childhood coach Sohel Islam in Sri Lanka. BCB appointed Sohel as a substitute for Vettori.
“We started to work together ahead of the Sri Lanka Tests,” Sohel told the media after coming to know Mehidy’s new achievement of becoming the number two bowler in the world. “The only problem was his mindset. He used to be more aggressive to take wickets, which eventually forces him to make mistakes. So the first thing we wanted to do is fix his mindset.”
Bangladesh bat first with two changes in playing XI
Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first in the second ODI of the three-match series against Sri Lanka on Tuesday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
The hosts made two changes to the playing XI of the last game. Taskin Ahmed has been overlooked to pave a way for the left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam. It’ll be marked as his first ODI.
Mosaddek Hossain also got a chance in playing XI. Mohammad Mithun, who suffered a duck in the last game, has been axed.
Shoriful played two T20Is and one test earlier and bagged two and one wickets respectively. Mosaddek, on the other hand, got into the ODI playing XI for the first time since July 2019. He represented the Tigers in 35 ODIs and scored 549 runs with two fifties.
Read:Ban v SL: Tigers eye historic series win over Lions
Bangladesh now have a good chance to win this ODI series against Sri Lanka. They have never won a series against the Lions.
Bangladesh (Playing XI): Tamim Iqbal (c), Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mosaddek Hossain, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Perera(w/c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Ashen Bandara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Lakshan Sandakan, Dushmantha Chameera
Bangladesh bat first in series opener vs Sri Lanka
Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal won the toss and opted to bat first in the three-match ODI series opener against Sri Lanka on Sunday at Mirpur.
Hours before the match takes the field, the Sri Lanka squad went through a Covid-19 scare. Three members of the Lankan squad tested positive for Covid-19 including two cricketers but the latest PCR test revealed only one of them is positive.
Read:Sri Lankan player Shiran Fernando tests positive for Covid-19 in latest test
This series is a part of the World Cup Super League. Bangladesh has already played six matches of this event and won three of them. The top seven teams of this event will get a direct qualification to the World Cup 2023.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, played three matches of the World Cup Super League and lost all.
With this series, Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman are back to the Bangladesh side after missing out on the Sri Lanka tour for a two-match Test series.
The remaining matches will take place on May 25 and 28 respectively at the same venue.
Read:Bangladesh and Sri Lanka all set to face off in an ODI Series
Bangladesh playing XI: Tamim Iqbal (c), Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (w), Mohammad Mithun, Mhamudullah Riyad, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman
Sri Lanka playing XI: Kusal Perera(w/c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Ashen Bandara, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Lakshan Sandakan, Dushmantha Chameera
Sri Lankan player Shiran Fernando tests positive for Covid-19 in latest test
In a latest Covid-19 Test, Sri Lankan cricketer Shiran Fernando tested positive for Covid-19 while Isuru Udana and Chaminda Vaas, who tested positive earlier, returned negative.
Jalal Younus, the chair of the media and communication committee of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), confirmed that the series will go on as per the schedule.
Read:Bangladesh and Sri Lanka all set to face off in an ODI Series
Along with these three, Bangladesh’s media manager Rabeed Imam also tested positive in the second latest test but returned negative in the latest test.
“The series is on and everything will go as per the schedule,” Jalal told the media. “There is no doubt about the series. Who returned positive will remain in isolation now.”
The first ODI of the series is set to begin at 1pm today while the others are scheduled to take place on May 25 and 28 respectively.
Shanto omitted as BCB announces squad for Sri Lanka ODIs
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the first and second ODI of the three-match series against Sri Lanka starting from May 23.
Najmul Hossain Shanto, who was number three in Bangladesh’s last ODI series at the home against the West Indies, was omitted from this squad.
Besides, injured right-arm pacers Rubel Hossain and Hasan Mahmud and spinner Taijul Islam were also sidelined from the main squad.
Read:Bangladesh-Sri Lanka ODI series: Tigers to play intrasquad game Thursday
Shanto hit his maiden Test ton in Bangladesh’s last tour of Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series. He also represented Bangladesh in eight ODIs but failed to impressed as he scored a total of 93 runs with the best innings of 29.
Taijul, however, will stay with the team as one of the four standby players. The other three standby players are— Naim Sheikh, Aminul Islam Biplob and Shohidul Islam.
“We played good cricket in the last home series against the West Indies. Now to keep that continuity intact, we announced a team including most of the players who played the last series,” Minhajul Abedin, the chief selector of BCB told the media.
“Along with the 15-member squad, we added four standby players considering the Covid-19 situation. We may need their service along the way,” he added.
With this series, Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman are set to make a comeback to the national team after a leave to play the Indian Premier League (IPL). Minhajul believes the inclusion of Shakib and Mustafizur will boost the confidence of the team.
“Shakib is our best player and whenever we have him it increases our confidence. They are playing the practice match. If they can have the confidence I think it will be good for us,” he further told the media.
Read:Bubble-fatigued Mustafizur lacks confidence
BCB has earlier included left-handed opener, Imrul Kayes, in the preliminary squad, but he was overlooked from the main squad.
The first match of the series will take place on May 23, while the other two games will be played on May 25 and 28 respectively. All the matches will be hosted at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Bangladesh squad for the first two Sri Lanka ODIs: Tamim Iqbal (Captain), Litton Das, Shakib al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah Riyad, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Soumya Sarkar, Musaddek Hossain, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Shoriful Islam and Standby: Naim Sheikh, Taijul Islam, Shohidul Islam, Aminul Islam Biplob
Bubble-fatigued Mustafizur lacks confidence
Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman clearly lacks confidence ahead of the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka starting from May 23 in Dhaka.
Mustafizur joined the team bio-bubble on Monday, but he only took the ball on Wednesday as the first day of practice camp was hit by the rain on Tuesday.
While talking to the media at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mustafizur expressed his concern over doing well after spending a lot of time in quarantine.
Read:Shakib, Mustafiz join national team ahead of SL series
He played his last game for the Rajasthan Royals in the truncated Indian Premier League (IPL) on May 2. Since then, he had been in bio-bubble in India and in Bangladesh along with the allrounder Shakib Al Hasan who also played the cash-rich league for Kolkata Knight Riders.
“I was in quarantine in India and after coming back home, I was also in quarantine for days,” Mustafizur said. “I just played one game and joined a practice session this month. We only get two more days of practice before the series takes place. Now everything depends on God.”
The left-arm pacer was unwilling to rush with his bowling on Wednesday as he just came out of the in-room quarantine. He only did some fitness work while being in the hotel.
“Bio-bubble is tough,” Mustafizur added. “It’s tough and not only for me but for all players. I just joined the practice cam and took the ball today (May 19). It may create pain in my hand (if I bowl much on the first day).”
Mustafizur did well for the Royals in India. He bagged eight wickets in seven games. Had not the Rajasthan fielders missed a few catches off his bowling, he might have taken more scalps.
The pacer believes that it won’t be tough for them to do well against the Sri Lankans. According to him, both teams are equal in the 50-over format though Sri Lankans have more reliance on the young players.
Bangladesh are set to miss the service of Rubel Hossain in this series as the right-hander has been suffering from a back injury since the New Zealand series earlier this year.
Read: BCB trying to relax quarantine rules for Shakib, Mustafiz
In the absence of Rubel, the onus will be on Mustafizur to lead the pace-bowling attack in this series. He will be accompanied by Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Mohamad Saifuddin. However, the final squad for the series is yet to be announced.
The Tigers are set to play an intra-squad 50-over game on May 20 at BKSP, Savar. The final squad is expected to be announced after this game.
While the first match of the series will take place on May 23, the remaining matches will be played on May 25 and 28 respectively. All the matches will be hosted at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Rubel uncertain over Sri Lanka ODIs for back pain
Bangladesh speedster Rubel Hossain is uncertain over playing the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka starting from May 23 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
The pacer has been suffering from back pain since the New Zealand tour earlier this year.
While talking to UNB on Monday, Rubel said he still feels pain while delivering a ball. He thinks it won’t be possible for him to make the final squad for the Sri Lanka series.
Read:Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 2021: ODI Series Preview
“I still have some pain in the back,” Rubel told UNB. “It’s tough for a pacer to keep playing without this sort of injuries. I have been in rehab for a while now. But still, some pain is here. I think it won’t be possible for me to play the Sri Lanka series.”
Debashis Chowdhury, the chief physician of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), told the same. He also said that it’s up to the pacer and the selectors to take the final decision about his participation in the Sri Lanka series.
“He has been playing at the top level of cricket for more than a decade, and these kind of bowlers often suffer from back issues. Rubel is not different from the others. It’s a reaction from bowling for a long time. He needs to stay in rehabilitation for more,” Debashis told the media.
Rubel last played an ODI in New Zealand earlier this year and bagged three wickets conceding 70 runs. He also played a T20I in that tour but failed to grab any wicket.
Read:Sri Lanka team arrive in Dhaka to play ODI series against Bangladesh
BCB announced a preliminary squad on May 1 including Rubel. The final squad will be announced this week which might see an omission of the right-handed pacer.
The first match of the series will take place on May 23 while the remaining games will be played on May 25 and 28 respectively. All the day-night affairs will take palace in Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka.
Preliminary squad: Tamim Iqbal, Naim Sheikh, Imrul Kayes, Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah Riyad, Afif Hossain, Musaddek Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam and Shohidul Islam
Bangladesh-Sri Lanka ODI series: Tigers start practising
Bangladesh players Friday started practising session ahead of the three-match home ODI series against Sri Lanka this month.
All the cricketers – except for all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and pacer Mustafizur Rahman – of the preliminary squad joined the day's practice session at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Shakib and Mustafiz are now in 14-day quarantine after returning from India Thursday.
Also Read:Soumya eyes home series win against Lankans
On May 1, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 23-member preliminary squad for the Sri Lanka series. However, a partial practice session of the cricketers, who were not included in the Sri Lanka Test series squad, started on that day.
Bangladesh got all the cricketers back together for a full practice session Friday as the Test squad joined the day's practice after completing their three-day quarantine upon returning home from Sri Lanka Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the BCB announced the itinerary for this month's Sri Lanka tour of Bangladesh for a three-match ODI series against the Tigers.
Also Read:BCB announces itinerary for Sri Lanka's tour of Bangladesh
The Lankans will arrive in the capital on May 16 to play three day-night basis ODI matches on May 23, 25 and 28 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.
Soon after their arrival, the Sri Lanka team will go for three-day quarantine from May 16-18. On completion of the quarantine period, the tourists will have an opportunity to conduct a two-day training session during May 19-20. Later, the Lankans will play a one-day practice match on May 21 at BKSP in Savar.
Bangladesh played a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka recently and lost the series 1-0.
Also read:Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Key ODI Records
Bangladesh's preliminary ODI squad
Tamim Iqbal Khan, Naim Sheikh, Imrul Kayes, Liton Kumar Das, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Md Mithun, Mahmud Ullah, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Musaddek Hossain Saikat, Mahedi Hasan, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Saif Uddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam and Shohidul Islam
BCB announces itinerary for Sri Lanka's tour of Bangladesh
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday announced the itinerary for this month's Sri Lanka's tour of Bangladesh to play a three-match ODI series against the Tigers.
The islanders Sri Lanka will arrive in the capital on May 16 to play three day-night basis ODI matches on May 23, 25 and 28, all at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.
Also Read:Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Key ODI Records
Soon after their arrival, Sri Lanka team will go for a three-day quarantine from May 16-18.
On completion of the quarantine period, the tourists will have an opportunity to make a two-day training session at BCB national cricket academy on May 19-20.
Later, the visiting Lankan team will play a lone one-day practice match on May 21 at BKSP in Savar.
Bangladesh played a two-match test series in Sri Lanka recently and lost the series 1-0.
Earlier on last Saturday, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 23-member preliminary squad Sri Lanka’s Tour of Bangladesh '2021.
Also Read:Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Test Series 2021: Bangladesh Team Report Card
Bangladesh preliminary squad: Tamim Iqbal Khan, Naim Sheikh, Imrul Kayes, Litton Kumer Das, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Md Mithun, Mahmud Ullah, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Musaddek Hossain Saikat, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Shaif Uddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam and Shohidul Islam.
Bangladesh cricket: Taijul sees no problem in long hiatus
Bangladesh cricket team are set to take on West Indies in a two-match Test series starting February 3 in Chattogram. Ahead of the series, Bangladesh’s left-arm spinner Taijul Islam said there will be no problem to play Test cricket after a long gap forced by the Covid-19 pandemic.