New selectors steer clear of ‘chop-and-change’ approach

The newly formed four-member national selection panel today named a 15-member Bangladesh squad for the opening two ODIs of the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand, starting on April 17, opting for continuity by retaining an unchanged side from the previous Pakistan series.

The panel, which took charge earlier this month, had 10 days to pick their first squad and chose to stick with the same group that secured a 2-1 series win over Pakistan at home in March, seemingly playing it safe at the start of their tenure by going with the safest option.

During that series, Bangladesh fielded the same playing XI in all three matches, leaving Soumya Sarkar, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Tanvir Islam and Shoriful Islam without a game.

While selectors in the past have often dropped players without giving them sufficient opportunities, the new panel appears keen to move away from that trend.

“When we reviewed the team, we felt the last series was successful. Bangladesh played good cricket, and some players didn’t get the chance to be in the playing XI,” said Habibul Bashar, chairman of the national selection panel, during a press conference to announce the squad while sitting alongside the other three selectors -- Hasibul Hossain Shanto, Naeem Islam and Nadif Chowdhury.

“We want to believe in continuity, which is why we didn’t change the team for this series,” he added.

There are some questions over the form of top-order batters Saif Hassan and Najmul Hossain Shanto. Saif, who made his ODI debut last year largely on the back of his T20 performances, has managed just one half-century in nine innings while Shanto is without a fifty in his last 12 ODI innings.

“Giving someone just three matches are not enough. We want to give him [Saif] more opportunities before making a decision. We don’t want to get into a chop-and-change approach.

“Shanto is one of our quality batters. Yes, he is not in great touch, but we hope he will deliver better performances,” Bashar said.

Litton Das was moved to the middle order during the Pakistan series and scored 41 each in the second and third ODI. Prior to that, he had endured a lean run, failing to reach double figures in nine innings, including four ducks.

Bashar confirmed that Litton is currently being considered for the No.4 position, although a return to the top order remains a possibility.

“After Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad, we needed experience there [in middle-order]. For now, we are considering him [Litton] in that role. We will see what happens in the future,” he said.

Another notable talking point was Soumya, who despite being the highest run-scorer in the West Indies series with 140 runs in three innings, including a match-winning 91 in the decider, did not feature in the playing XI against Pakistan.

Bashar, however, remains optimistic about Soumya’s role going forward, calling him an “important asset” for the team.

The former Bangladesh captain also reiterated the panel’s stance to avoid frequent changes to the squad as they also keep an eye on direct qualification to the 2027 ICC World Cup.

Bangladesh squad

Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Afif Hossain, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Nahid Rana.