Mashrafe Mortaza omitted from Bangladesh preliminary squad for West Indies series

Former captain Mashrafe Mortaza has been dropped from Bangladesh's preliminary squad for this month's home series against West Indies

Former captain Mashrafe Mortaza has been dropped from Bangladesh’s preliminary squad for this month’s home series against West Indies.

The 37-year old pace bowler, who is Bangladesh’s most capped ODI player, captained his country in 88 ODIs before stepping down in March 2020 following a 3-0 home victory over Zimbabwe.

Mortaza’s omission indicates that Bangladesh are looking to the future, with BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin confirming that the board are “keeping an eye” on the 2023 World Cup.

Speaking following the squad announcement on January 4, Abedin said: “We have full respect for him [Mortaza] as he had given lot for us. It was a difficult decision, but we have to accept reality.

“We have taken this decision talking with the team management and everyone concerned. It's a big opportunity for the player who will replace him in the team.

"Our team management had given us a plan where the vision is 2023 World Cup and keeping that in mind we decided not to include him"

“I have spoken with him (Mortaza) and there is no sort of misunderstanding between us. He said he wants to continue playing domestic cricket.

"We are beginning this series without Mortaza but we are keeping an eye on the 2023 World Cup. Our team management had given us a plan where the vision is 2023 World Cup and keeping that in mind we decided not to include him."

Shakib Al Hasan is named in both squads after serving his one-year suspension whilst Tamin Iqbal continues as ODI captain.

The preliminary squads will take part in a two-week training camp starting next week before playing two practice matches on January 14 and 16.

Preliminary squad for ODI series: Tamim Iqbal Khan, Taskin Ahmed, Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Al Amin Hossain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Md. Shoriful Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Hasan Mahmud, Md Mithun, Saif Uddin, Liton Kumer Das, Mustafizur Rahman, Md Mahmud Ullah, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Taijul Islam, Musaddek Hossain Saikat, Nasum Ahmed, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Parvez Hossain Emon, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Mahadi Hasan, Naim Sheikh, Rubel Hossain.

Preliminary squad for Test series: Momimul Haque Showrab, Taskin Ahmed, Tamim Iqbal Khan, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Shakib Al Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mustafizur Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Md Mithun, Taijul Islam, Liton Kumer Das, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Shadman Islam, Mohammed Saif Hasan, Nayeem Hasan, Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury.

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