Bangladesh team management’s decision to include Nasir Hossain in the playing XI for just one game in the ongoing 2016 World Twenty20 has raised quite a few eyebrows.
In the flagship event, the Tigers have played seven matches and Nasir only got the opportunity to feature in the game against the Netherlands in Dharamsala on March 9.
Yesterday, the men in red and green faced New Zealand in what was a game of mere formality and bearing in mind that this was their last game of the tournament, the majority had expected to see Nasir in the starting XI but the expectations were not met.
The right-handed batsman, who occasionally bowls off-breaks, was kept out of the Tigers’ home T20I series against Zimbabwe last January. Back then, the think tank had said they wanted Nasir to rest so that they could try out different combinations ahead of marquee events like the Asia Cup T20 and World T20. The all-rounder did return to the side in the Asia Cup only to play one game – the grand finale against India.
As a result, Nasir’s repeated omissions from the side is being discussed widely now in the Bangladesh cricketing fraternity. Many are wondering whether Nasir, who not so long ago earned the moniker “Mr Finisher”, is walking the same dreaded path as national discard Anamul Haque.
Following the suspensions of fast bowler Taskin Ahmed and spinner Arafat Sunny, the team roped in all-rounder Shuvagata Hom and spinner Saqlain Sajib as their replacements. The duo came into the side on the eve of their Super 10 game against Australia last Monday. Just when it was being thought that Nasir will make it into the XI, it was Shuvagata instead who got the nod.
Shuvagata retained his place in the side for the crucial match against India. The right-hander was on strike when the Tigers needed two runs off the final delivery. A single would have enabled Bangladesh to at least level the scores but Shuvagata failed to connect a juicy short ball dished out by seamer Hardik Pandya.
Many believes if Nasir was in the middle, the story might have been different. There are many occasions in the past when Nasir found himself on strike at a crucial moment of the game. And more often than not, the 24-year either rescued his side or inspired a comeback victory when the chips were down.
But of course, only the Tigers team management can best describe the reasons behind Nasir’s repeated exclusions.