Sports Desk:

With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup less than a month away, most participating teams have already announced their squads. However, Bangladesh is among the few yet to make an official announcement, despite sources confirming the team has been finalised and submitted to the ICC.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday, May 14th, to unveil the squad. This delay has sparked curiosity and speculation within the cricketing fraternity.

This correspondent has come to know that the delay stems from a recent injury sustained by right-arm pacer Taskin Ahmed. The injury occurred just before the final match of the Zimbabwe series on May 12th in Dhaka.

BCB President and Sports Minister, Nazmul Hasan, has indicated that if Taskin’s recovery takes longer than three weeks, a replacement might be called up. However, if doctors are optimistic about a quicker recovery (within two weeks), Taskin could be included in the main squad with his rehabilitation continuing in the USA, where the team will travel early next week.

“If needed, we will consult with doctors in the USA,” Nazmul said, underscoring the board’s commitment to exploring every possible ways to include Taskin.

Bangladesh’s first World Cup match is on June 7th against Sri Lanka in Dallas, followed by a clash with South Africa in New York on June 10th. The team will then travel to the West Indies for their next two matches in the first round.

Before the main event, Bangladesh will play a practice match against India in New York on June 1st, preceded by a three-match T20I series against the hosts, the USA, in Houston. (Source: UNB)