“He is not in but we will try to do what we can with the players we have”
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha has revealed that the national selectors ignored his suggestion to include leg-spinner Jubair Hossain in the country’s World Cup squad.
Instead, the national selectors opted to go for the left-arm spin duo of Arafat Sunny and Taijul Islam.
“I would love to have Jubair in the team,” Hathuruinsgha said. “Leg-spinners in Australia are very effective. In my experience in the last four years in Australia, every state team tries to get a leg-spinner in the team. They are the wicket-takers. It’s true that I was asking for him and he was in our plans as an attacking option to get wickets, but that’s where it is. He is not in but we will try to do what we can with the players we have.
“As I said, the leg-spinner could have given us a good attacking option. And since Shakib is there, having two left-armers it’s very unlikely to play all three in one team. It’s a tough decision. The two left-armers selected are very good players but I would have loved to have a different option.
“As a coach you have the plans with the other coaches, senior players, and captains. Most of the cases the selectors communicate with the coaching staff and have a discussion. In that sense if you have a say in selection it would be helpful, but then again it’s the communication that you need.”
Hathurusingha also noted that he was looking forward to seeing how all-rounder Soumya Sarkar will perform in the World Cup.
“Soumya has been in the runs and the report that I am getting is that he can bat from one to seven in the batting order,” he said. “He is a decent seaming option so we are definitely looking at his batting first and then if he can contribute with the ball that is a bonus. We are not expecting him to bowl ten overs unless he has a good day, we are having him as a batting option who can bowl.”
While Hathurusingha is confident that Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim will recover from their injuries, he is determined to ensure that none of the pace bowlers hurt themselves prior to the start of the tournament.
“The fast bowlers we have all bring different attributes to the team,” he said. “Some have swing and some have pace. I hope they will do well. I am happy with the mix that we have.
“It is all about staying fit because it is a long tournament. The conditions in Australia are hard. They have to put in a lot more effort. Keeping them healthy and fit is the key for us.”