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| May 01, 2007 | Tuesday | Rabi-us-Sani 13, 1428 |
Habibul retained as BD skipper for India series
DHAKA, April 30: Bangladesh has retained Habibul Bashar as captain for the upcoming one-day series against India following the team's creditable show in the World Cup.
Batsman Rajin Saleh was the only omission from the team that upset India and South Africa but lost to Ireland during an eventful World Cup in the Caribbean.
The 34-year-old Habibul, who made only 93 runs in seven innings at the World Cup, was retained as skipper because selectors felt he led the team well in the showpiece event, chief selector Faruq Ahmed said.
“The team performed well in the World Cup under Habibul. They also developed a very good team spirit and beat some of the world's big teams. So we did not think of changing the captaincy or bringing any new face into the one-day squad,” he said.
Habibul, who has been leading the side for more than three years, hinted that he would quit one-day cricket after the India series.
“I do not intend to play one-day matches for that long. In fact, before the World Cup I had thought of retiring from one-day cricket,” Habibul said.
“But I will soon announce my decision, after discussing with the team members and the board officials,” he said.
Habibul said he was happy that the selectors had kept faith in the World Cup team.
Ace middle-order batsman Mohammad Ashraful was named as the new vice-captain of the 14-member squad in place of Shahriar Nafees.
“We made Ashraful the vice-captain because he is a match-winner. He has the talent and the track record,” said Faruq.
The first two one-dayers will be played in Dhaka on May 10 and 12, while the third will be held in Chittagong on May 15.
The Bangladesh team for the two Tests will be announced after the one-day series.
India will arrive in the country on May 7 to play their third away series against Bangladesh.
Squad: Habibul Bashar (captain), Mohammad Ashraful (vice-captain), Shahriar Nafees, Tamim Iqbal, Aftab Ahmed, Saqibul Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Rafique, Abdur Razzak, Mashrafe Mortaza, Shahadat Hossain, Syed Rasel, Javed Omar and Farhad Reza.
Coach: Dav Whatmore.—AFP
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