Bipin Dani
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has once again delayed the announcement of the squad. The BCB had sought the extension of the August 8 deadline and the team was scheduled to be announced on Thursday and the date has again be deferred.
“We will announce the squad on Saturday afternoon”, one of the sources said over the telephone from Dhaka. “We will announce the name of the captain and the team on the same day”.
The reason for postponement of the announcement is likely to be the issue with the biggest star Shakib Al Hasan, who has endorsed a sports betting company on social media.
As per existing laws in Bangladesh, there is prohibition on facilitation and promotion of any gambling related activities.
“Let him decide whether he wants to play for the country or stay with betting”, the BCB chief Nazmul Hassan Papon has said. Incidentally, it is not the choice of the selectors but the BCB has a policy to pick a captain.
“We have 3-4 names and will announce one among them to lead the side”. In the meantime, injured Nurul Hasan Sohan is ruled out, it is also learnt. The 28-year-old wicketkeeper/batter who was injured in Zimbabwe has returned from Singapore after having a successful hand surgery by Dr. Antony Foo.
