The Ireland series is ahead, followed by the Afghanistan series and the Asia Cup. The World Cup Bangladesh cricket team will be finalized with this series and tournament to be held in four-five months. Will Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, who has been the regular face of the ODI team until a few days ago, be in that team?
Bangladesh cricket team’s current busyness is all centered on the World Cup. The series against Ireland in England is part of the ICC ODI Super League. With the World Cup ticket already secured, that’s not much for Bangladesh to sharpen their game. This year’s Asia Cup, which has not yet finalized the venue, will be held in the one-day edition, the main objective of which is to prepare for the World Cup.
Between the Ireland series and the Asia Cup, there is a series against Afghanistan on the country’s soil. Bangladesh cricket team looks at the link in all of them in one place—finding the best team in the World Cup. This World Cup will be held in India in October-November. Now is the time to play those who have more chances to play in this event. Mahmudullah and Afif are absent in the phase of watching the cricketers
Mahmudullah, 37, was in the squad for the ODI series against England in March. Mahmood was rested for the Ireland series due to questionable fitness, particularly fielding weaknesses. This time, when another Ireland series is ahead, he is not on the team.
Hathuru also has no solution to Afif’s problem.
After the photo session with the trophy for their series victory against England, the Bangladesh cricket team made their way to the dressing room amidst cheers and shouting. However, even after the entire team had entered the room, Chandika Hathurusinghe and Afif Hossain remained standing next to the prize distribution stage at the Mirpur Shere Bangla Stadium. The head coach was taking a long time to tell Afif something, Afif was listening to him with his head down. Afif’s look is despondent when he occasionally raises his head to answer.
The 23-year-old Afif also last played in the series against England. Despite being in the ODI series against Ireland, he did not get a chance in the XI and was later dropped from the T20. Not even in the upcoming ‘Away’ series. However, head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe openly said that Afif is not due to form.
When there is not much time left to secure a place in the World Cup team, is Mahmudullah-Afif’s World Cup game uncertain by not getting a chance in the national team? While the coach-selectors are experimenting with a few positions, what is the team thinking about the two experienced and promising cricketers?
What Mashrafe said about Mahmudullah’s game in the World Cup?
Will Mahmudullah play in the 2023 ODI World Cup?
If there are ‘yes’ and ‘no’ votes, ‘no’ votes should count more. It is only because of the very recent attitude of the BCB and the selectors towards Mahmudullah that there is talk of such a possibility. But if Mashrafe bin Mortaza is also made to stand in the voters’ queue, he can also vote ‘yes’.
Mahmudullah was dropped from the England ODI squad citing ‘rest’. The question arose whether that ‘rest’ actually rang the bell of his departure from ODIs or not. Then it was seen that Mahmudullah is not even in the ODI team against Ireland and it was not discussed again. Everyone seems to have assumed that Mahmudullah’s absence from the calculations of the 2023 World Cup is normal.
But in the eyes of the former captain of the national team, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, the curtain of Mahmudullah’s ODI career does not come down here. As he says on the one hand, the policy of the selectors to ‘rest’ Mahmudullah and watch others is right, he also says that Mahmudullah will always be a World Cup player.
After the Premier Cricket League match at Mirpur Sherebangla Stadium today, Legends of Rupganj’s captain said in response to a question from reporters, “Riyad (Mahmudullah) has no chance, I will not say that.” We all know what he can do. Now if you want to see one of the players… Riyad is seen taking it, along with a backup.It is not wrong to see who will do well there.
Mahmudullah has scored three fifties in nine Premier League matches for Mohammedan so far, the last two of which came in the last two matches. Mashrafe is hopeful that Riyad has also started to run.There are choices available if he regains his form. In my opinion, Riyadh will undoubtedly host the World Cup.
Mashrafe has stated that the issue regarding the wickets in the Premier Cricket League has surfaced.Appreciating the wicket, the Rupganj skipper said, ‘Great wicket, thanks to BCB especially for this reason. Bowlers will also improve by playing on such wickets. Bowlers will experiment, and try different things when they bat. When playing on a bad wicket, there is nothing to learn.
