Bangladesh ‘A’ team to play two test matches here

Chris DHAMBARAGE

CRICKET: The Bangladesh ‘A’ team led by test cap Tushar Imran will arrive in Sri Lanka today for a two test and three match one day international series against the Sri Lanka ‘A’ side commencing on March 19.

Twenty three year old Imran is a dashing striker of the ball having established himself in the national side at the age of just 17.

He made his one day international debut against Zimbabwe in 2002 and when new blood was demanded to help revive Bangladesh’s flagging Test fortunes he was thrust into the fray against Sri Lanka in July 2002.

Imran’s last test match was also against Sri Lanka in September 2005 at the R. Premadasa Stadium. He lost his place in the test team due to a poor run of form but regained his place once again in the squad following a successful tour of England with their ‘A’ side.

Imran has accumulated 547 runs from 37 one day internationals including two half centuries.

Former captain Khaled Mashud is probably the most experienced player in the squad having made his appearance for his country even before they had obtained test status.

The wicket keeper batsman will be remembered for his matchwinning six against Kenya in the ICC Trophy tournament final in 1997. He also made his presence felt in their inaugural test match against India in 2000 where he figured in a stubborn 93 run stand with Aminul Islam.

Mashud was handed over with the captaincy when Naimur Rahman was eliminate after the home defeat by Zimbabwe late in 2001. However, he was powerless to halt Bangladesh’s miserable run and quit after their humiliations at the 2003 World Cup but remained an essential figure in the side.

Mashud’s finest hour came in St Lucia in June 2004, when his unbeaten second innings century ensured Bangladesh a draw in their first Test in the Caribbean. In addition He made an unbeaten 71 in the final match of the NatWest Series against Australia in England in 2005.

Another promising player with both test and one day international experience is opener Mehrab Hossain who became the first Bangladeshi to score an international hundred - that against Zimbabwe in 1999. His superb 64 against West Indies the following month was also his country’s first World Cup half century.

Mehrab’s prospects for further glories suffered a major setback in 2004, however, when he was banned from cricket for a year after breaching the terms of his contract in a domestic competition.

The Bangladesh bowling attack will be spearheaded by Enamul Hoque, a specialist left arm spinner and a left hand lower order batsman. Enamul is a prolific wicket taker in domestic cricket but has struggled at the higher level as part of a weak Bangladesh attack.

Tall, lanky, and genuinely quick, Mohammad Sharif is another key bowler in the side who forced his way into the national side in 2001 as a 17-year old following some impressive performances in the National League.

After a successful start to his international career he lost his place in 2002 and then was sidelined with a groin injury shortly after the 2003 World Cup which required a series of operations in India and Australia. He finally returned to the national side when he was selected for the tour of Zimbabwe almost four years after his last appearance.

Talhar Jubair is another genuine fast bowler who has the potential to touch the 90 mph mark consistently having made his test debut for Bangladesh even before he had reached 17.

However the Bangladesh ‘A’ team failed to impress during their recent home series against the England ‘A’ side where they lost both the test series and the one day series.

The first four day test between Bangladesh ‘A’ and Sri Lanka ‘A’ will be played from March 19 to 22 at the Colts CC grounds, Havelock Park and the second four day test is scheduled for March 25 to 28 at the CCC grounds in Maitland Crescent.

The first one day match will be played on March 31 at the Colts CC grounds, Havelock Park followed by back to back one day matches on April 4 and 5 both at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium.

The Bangladesh ‘A’ squad: Tushar Imran (captain), Md. Khaled Mashud, Pilot, Mehrab Hossain, Mohammed Enamul Haque, Mohammed Sharif, Gazi Sahagir Hossain Pavel, Mohammed Nazimuddin, Nadif Chowdhury, Md. Nazmul Hossain, Talha Jubaer, Khandaker Musharraf Hossain, Md. Zahurul Islam, Dollar Mahmud, Mahmudullah Riyad, Kazi Manzarul Islam Rana (selected for one day matches only) and Md. Farhad Reza (Selected for one day matches only).

Team Management: Shaun Geoffrey Williams- Head Coach, Golam Mohammed Nowsher- Team Manager, Dipu Rai Chowdhury- Assistant coach, Samuel William Byrne- Physio and Mohammad Salauddin- Computer Analyst.

The Sri Lanka ‘A’ squad: Thilan Samaraweera (captain), Malinda Warnapura (vice captain), Mahela Udawatte, Michael Van Dort, Chamara Kapugedara, Jehan Mubarak, Kaushal Silva, Upul Chandana, Ishara Amarasinghe, Akalanka Ganegama, Sujeewa Silva, Rangana Herath, Kanchana Gunawardane, Ranga Dias, Tharanga Lakshita.

Officials for tour: Anura Tennekoon - Manager, Chandika Hathurusinghe - Coach, Priyantha Wickramasinghe - Physiotherapist.