No Mahmudullah again, Mrittunjoy called up

Bangladesh Cricket Board announced the squad for Ireland tour starting from May 9, where Bangladesh will play Ireland in a three-match one-day international series. Once again, Mahmudullah Riyadh was not included in the squad, he was also rested for the latest home series against Ireland.

Left-arm pacer Mrittunjoy Chowdhury has been called-up into the 15-man squad for the first time in this format to replace Taskin Ahmed who is recovering from the strain injury he picked up during the recently concluded home series against Ireland.

Bangladesh will play three ODIs against Ireland which will be a part of the ICC World Cup Super League, in Chelmsford. The Tigers have hosted the Irish for a bilateral series where they played three ODIs, Three T20s and a Test. Bangladesh won the series in all the formats.

Minhajul Abedin, Chief National Team Selector thinks Bangladesh can do the same in the Irish conditions even though the conditions in the UK are tough. He said, “the Irish conditions are very challenging, we’ll be playing three ODIs there, so we had to consider all these things before announcing the team.”

Chief selector believes Bangladesh team has changed and are now enough experienced to adapt with the conditions in the Ireland. “If you look at our team, it has changed a lot and has the experience enough to adapt with the challenges that may occur. We will also play a warm-up match there, so I don’t think conditions will be a problem and we will play a good series.”

When asked about the squad and plans for the future, he said “we have many players in our plans, everyone is being monitored, we have also rested some players.

“All our players will be available by the time Asia Cup comes, so we will be able to build up a proper team by that time considering all the related things. Everyone is considered equal, so if you perform when the chance arrives, will be considered,” he said.

Bangladesh’s performance has improved in the recent years and new comers played an important part in the process. The same will be asked from Mrittunjoy.

Mahmudullah’s performance in the last two years has not been up to the standards that was required from someone with such experience as his. In the last home series against England, questions were asked on Mahmudullah’s batting intent.

Mahmudullah was once considered as the safe house in Bangladesh’s fielding, but his fielding has been sloppy of late as he gave away some extra runs which could be saved including a boundary in the series against England.

When asked, skipper Tamim Iqbal backed him as he said to the press after the England series, “we all have some areas where we can improve, be it batting, bowling or fielding.”