BCB selectors have just announced a 14-member squad for the two T20 matches for the series against South Africa scheduled to be played on July 5 & 7. They have also announced a squad for the only practice match before the series.

T20 Squad: Mashrafe Bin Murtaza (Capt), Tamim Iqbal ,Soumya Sarkar, Liton K Das, Rony Talukdar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Sohag Gazi, Jubair Hossain, Arafat Sunny, Rubel Hossain and Mustafizur  Rahman.

BCB Squad for Practice Match: Imrul Kayes (Captain), Anamul Haque, Rony Talukdar, Mosaddeq Hossain, Mahmudul Hasan,Saikat Ali, Subhagato Hom Chowdhury, Abdur Razzak, Sohag Gazi, Al Amin Hossain, Abul Hasan and Kamrul Islam.

Let us have a look at South African squad that Bangladesh will have to encounter in T20s.

South African Team for T20: Faf du Plessis (C), Quinton de Kock, Rilee Rossouw, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, David Miller, David Wiese, Chris Morris, Kyle Abbott, Kagiso Rabada, Aaron Phangiso, Eddie Leie, Wayne Parnell, Beuran Hendricks

We have already observed some discussions in the media about the T20 Bangladesh squad. Some talks are there about non-inclusion of dashing opener Anamul Haq, tried tested experienced left arm spinner Abdur Razzak.  Return to the side of talented off spinner Sohag Gazi is also noted with appreciation.  Taskin and Mahamudullah are not in the team as they have not still fully recovered from injury.

We do not think the selectors have done any major selection misjudgment.  Right at this moment the top seven batsmen automatically selects themselves in the team. Anamul after return from injury cannot force his place into the squad replacing Liton K Das (who possibly will also keep wicket) and equally talented Rony Talukdar. Rony is a consistent batsman in domestic cricket and can be another fear free batting option when he makes debut. We got a little surprised that experienced left arm spinner Abdur Razzak could not be included in the team in place of Arafat Sunny. May be his fielding was an issue. But Razzak is a proven wicket taking option and in many persons opinion is still the best Bangladeshi spinner. Razzak and Anamul are in the BCB squad that will play the lone practice match. Selectors will be in a serious dilemma in selecting ODI squad if both of them perform.

We fully appreciate the return of Sohag Gazi and inclusion of Jubair in the team. We will love to see Mustafiz and Jubair operating in tandem at some stage of the match. They can put even talented protean batsmen to some tests in decoding their tricks. We are not sure that chief selector explanation about selecting Sohag Gazi is smart. He can be there purely on his bowling skills. If Gazi’s batting is required at all in test then Bangladesh may not think of winning. The top 7 batsmen have to bat and win T 20 matches for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh like South Africa does not have enough depth and diversity of international quality players to have three different squad in three versions.  If we look at the South African squad de Kock, du Plessis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminiy (four Ds), David Miller, Chris Morris are T20 specialists also. They are playing with considerable success in the IPL franchise and each of them wins matches regularly playing quality spinners on Indian wicket.

Bangladesh could be a bit proactive in selecting Abdur Razzak. At 32 he still has a good 4-5 years quality cricket left in him. David Miller and ABD in full flow can destroy Arafat Sunny type trundles we are afraid. The reason we have heard about Anamul Bijoy falling from the grace is that he does not rotate strikes and more intent in playing too many strokes. But if he succeeds doing that what is the harm.

South African bowling attack for T20 appears a bit thin as no Dale Steyn, Philander and Morne Morkel will be there with their tear away chin music. Kyle Abbott, Chis Morris and Wayne Parnell are not better bowler than Wahab Riaz or Junaid Khan those Bangladesh played so well against. The success of Bangladesh will largely depend how the top seven batsmen will bat and what magic the mystery bowler Mustafiz still can produce out of his hat? Absence of Mahamudullah Riad and Taskin may be felt. Mahmudullah’s experience and stabilizing impacts at top order was essential among all natural stroke makers to hold the innings together we are not sure Rubel bowled consistently well.

Mashrafe should have plan B and C ready for the T20 matches regarding shuffling his bowling option and changing batting order depending on match situation. Shakib and Shabbir may bat higher if Bangladesh has to chase large scores. Mashrafe has to consider him bowling less if he leaks a little bit more runs. T20 is a type of containing cricket. South Africans have so many world-class flamboyant batsmen. Sohag Gazi can open the attack if required from one end to contain de Kock.

Bangladesh ranks ninth in ICC T20 ranking with 77 points, while South Africa stands at sixth with 110 points. Some of their top players play regularly in IPL franchise and perform. In case Bangladesh manages to surprise South Africa winning both T20 the rating will improve to 93 and SA will go down to eighth position. If other way round Bangladesh rating will be lowered to 73 with only two points clear of Scotland.

BCB Squad for the practice match will be a perfect opportunity for the likes of Al Amin, Rony Talukdar and Abul Hasan to prove their points. It will be a good opportunity for Sohag Gazi, Razzak and Anamul to assess themselves as well again against top quality players. Some talented youngsters will get opportunity to get the taste of international match against top quality opposition.

For the first T20 our suggested team would be

Mashrafe Bin Murtaza (Capt), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Liton K Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Sohag Gazi, Jubair Hossain, and Mustafizur  Rahman

We do not think playing three pacers against South Africa will be right decision in T20. Shakib, Sohag and Jubair will be spinning trio along with Nasir to supplement efforts of Mustafiz and Mashrafe.

If Razzak and Al Amin achieves success in the practice match both should be in the ODI squad. We like to give a note of caution. South Africans are different fishes in the kettle.

Bangladesh must be very positive and aggressive against a team, which is much keener professionals than even Pakistan and India. Tigers have put their acts together in batting, bowling and fielding and try to outsmart superior opposition.

BDST: 0833 HRS, JULY 02, 2015
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