Mahmudullah and Anamul Haque returned to Tigers fold for the three-match one-day international series against visitors South Africa. The batting duo were named alongside leg-spinner Jubair Hossain in the Bangladesh 14-member squad for the first two matches as Mominul Haque, Rony Talukdar and injured Taskin Ahmed were left out.
Anamul, who had to undergo a surgery on his right shoulder after injuring himself during Bangladesh’s World Cup encounter against Scotland on March 5, returned to the side after four months on the back of a century and three fifties in the Bangladesh Cricket League recently. Meanwhile, first choice Mahmudullah recovered from the fractured left index finger that he suffered ahead of the India series last month and has been included as soon as the physio gave the green signal.
Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed has not fully recovered from the side strain he picked in the middle of the one-day series against India couple weeks ago as Jubair was included to strengthen the spin department.
The selectors continued to overlook Mominul Haque’s talent for the 50-over format while Rony’s exclusion is justifiable, although he might consider himself unlucky. After waiting in the side lines for two series Rony, who is an opening batsman by nature, made his international debut through the T20I yesterday and scored 21 off 22 balls batting at No 7.
Chief selector Faruk Ahmed justified Anamul’s inclusion saying, “He (Anamul) had a discussion with the captain regarding his batting approach and I think if we don’t give him the opportunity how would we know about the changes. I think he is in good form and he is considered to bat in the top order.”
However, Faruk also hinted Rony’s comeback in the side for the third ODI in Chittagong on July 15.