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| March 17, 2007 | Saturday | Safar 27, 1428 |
Pen-sketches of Bangladesh squad
BRIDGETOWN, March 16: Pen-pix of Bangladesh's World Cup squad: Habibul Bashar (RHB/OB/captain). Age: 34. ODI appearances: 100. Debut: v Sri Lanka, Sharjah, April 6, 1995. A technically correct batsman, he has not lived up to the promise he showed at the start of his career. Remains an impulsive hooker despite falling to it often.
Career: 2020 runs (ave 22.44), HS 78, 14 50s, 21 catches, 1 wkt (ave 142.00), BB 1-31.Shahriar Nafees (LHB). Age: 21. ODI appearances: 41. Debut: v England, Trent Bridge, June 21, 2005. A sound left-handed opening batsman, he is regarded as a future Bangladesh captain and was named deputy to Habibul Bashar for the World Cup despite being one of the youngest players.
Career: 1495 runs (ave 40.40), HS 123*, 4 100s, 7 50s, 6 catches.
Abdur Razzak (LHB/SLA). Age: 24. ODI appearances: 38. Debut: v Hong Kong, Colombo, July 16, 2004. The left-arm spinner is regarded as the successor to Mohammad Rafique. He has the ability to break partnerships but it remains to be seen if he will make the playing XI at the World Cup.
Career: 142 runs (ave 15.77), HS 21, 9 catches, 60 wkts (ave 20.96), BB 5-33, 4w 3.
Aftab Ahmed (RHB/RM). Age: 21. ODI appearances: 55. Debut: v South Africa, Edgbaston, Sept 12, 2004. The hard-hitting batsman is best known for the four and six he hit to signal Bangladesh's historic one-day win over world champions Australia in 2005. The ideal one-day player who can also bowl steady medium-pace.
Career: 1414 runs (ave 28.85), HS 92, 12 50s, 13 catches, 11 wkts (ave 50.00), BB 5-31, 4w 1.
Javed Omar (RHB).Age: 30. ODI appearances: 53. Debut: v India, Sharjah, April 5, 1995. A slow grafter at the top of the order, he is more suited to Test cricket than the shorter version. He will be expected to hold one end as runs are scored freely at the other end.Career: 1166 runs (ave 23.79), HS 85*, 9 50s, 10 catches.
Mashrafe Mortaza (RHB/RFM). Age: 23. ODI appearances: 56. Debut: v Zimbabwe, Chittagong, Nov 23, 2001. An aggressive fast bowler, he is the spearhead of Bangladesh's pace attack. Learnt his art at the hands of West Indian great Andy Roberts. He is also an attacking batsman lower in the order.
Career: 556 runs (ave 16.35), HS 51*, 1 50, 18 catches, 79 wkts (ave 28.02), BB 6-26, 4w 3.
Mohammad Ashraful (RHB/LB). Age: 22. ODI appearances: 90. Debut: v Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, April 11, 2001. The prodigal son of Bangladesh cricket, he is the youngest man in history to score a Test century aged 16. Loves to dance down the wicket to spinners and loft them over the top. He is back in form after a bad run in 2003 when he was dropped from the side.
Career: 1608 runs (ave 20.88), HS 100, 1 100s, 10 50s, 16 catches, 10 wkts (ave 34.40), BB 3-26.
Mohammad Rafique (LHB/SLA). Age: 36. ODI appearances: 112. Debut: v India, Sharjah, April 5, 1995. The truly world-class player in the Bangladesh team, he is an accurate, rhythmical left-arm spinner capable of troubling the best batsmen. He can also bat fluently low in the order. Bangladesh's fortunes at the World Cup will revolve around him.
Career: 1124 runs (ave 13.70), HS 77, 2 50s, 23 catches, 108 wkts (ave 38.92), BB 5-47, 4w 3.
Mushfiqur Rahim (RHB/WK). Age: 18. ODI appearances: 11. Debut: v Zimbabwe, Harare, Aug 6, 2006. He was chosen ahead of veteran wicket-keeper Khaled Mashud for the World Cup and that itself places a big burden on the youngster to justify his selection. A player earmarked for a bright future.
Career: 151 runs (ave 30.20), HS 57, 1 50, 13 dismissals (8 catches and 5 stumpings).
Rajin Saleh (RHB/OB). Age: 23. ODI appearances: 43. Debut: v Pakistan, Multan, Sept 9, 2003. A great favourite of coach Dav Whatmore, he is regarded as one of the most talented Bangladesh batsmen. He is also a good fielder square of the wicket and an useful off-spinner.
Career: 1005 runs (ave 23.92), HS 108*, 1 100, 6 50s, 9 catches, 15 wkts (ave 30.60), BB 4-16, 4w 1.
Saqibul Hasan (LHB/LM). Age: 19. ODI appearances: 20. Debut: v Zimbabwe, Harare, Aug 6, 2006. The left-armer lends variety to the attack and can bat well anywhere in the order.
Career: 663 runs (ave 55.25), HS 134*, 100, 2 50s, 4 catches, 22 wkts (ave 26.54), BB 3-18.
Shahadat Hossain (RHB/RMF). Age: 20. ODI appearances: 20. Debut: v Kenya, Bogra, March 17, 2006. With his height, aggression and smooth run-up, he has the making of a genuine fast bowler.
Career: 15 runs (ave 5.00), HS 5*, 1 catch, 24 wkts (ave 30.04), BB 3-34.
Syed Rasel (LHB/LMF). Age: 22. ODI appearances: 19. Debut: v Sri Lanka, Colombo, Aug 31, 2005. A key left-arm seamer in the Bangladesh new ball attack, his action reminds of seasoned Sri Lankan Chaminda Vaas.
Career: 30 runs (ave 5.00), HS 15, 3 catches, 27 wkts (ave 25.37), BB 4-22, 4w 1.
Tamim Iqbal (LHB). Age: 17. ODI appearances: 4. Debut: v Zimbabwe, Harare, Feb 9, 2007. He made his one-day debut on Feb 9 and four days later was named in the World Cup squad after only two matches. The younger brother of Bangladesh batsman Nafees Iqbal, he is regarded as the country's most promising young batsman.
Career: 57 runs (ave 14.25), HS 30.
Tapash Baisya (RHB/RFM). Age: 24. ODI appearances: 55. Debut: v Sri Lanka, Colombo, Aug 4, 2002. The tall and wiry seamer leads the Bangladesh attack and is also a capable batsman.
Career: 336 runs (ave 12.00), HS 35*, 8 catches, 59 wkts (ave 40.96), BB 4-16, 4w 2.—AFP
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