Five rewarded for BPL performances
Bangladesh coach Jamie Day yesterday disclosed a 24-member squad of the national team because of this month's tri-nation tournament on Nepal with the inclusion of five new faces and exclusion of nine players from the squad that played against Qatar on World Cup Qualifiers last December.
The exclusion of some confirmed campaigners from the squad was expected because of their poor performances along with not getting very much game-time because of their clubs in the Bangladesh Premier League.
The inclusion of new players like Bashundhara Kings' defender Rimon Hossain and Mohammedan's free-kick consultant Habibur Rahman Shohag was expected however the inclusion of three additional players -- defenders Mohammad Emon and Mehedi Hasan and forward Mehedi Hasan Royal - all from Muktijoddha Sangsad, really was surprising.
Out of the 9 exclusions, centre-back again Tapu Barman and forward Nabib Newaj Jibon were not considered because of injury while the likes of Yeasin Khan, Mohammad Ibrahim, Pappu Hossain, Towhidul Alam Sabuz, Atiqur Rahman Fahad, Raibul Islam and MS Bablu could not impress the coach found in the first-period of the Bangladesh Premier League.
Apart from those nine players, ex - captain Mamunul Islam, Raihan Hasan and Sushanta Tripura travelled with the squad found in Qatar but they were not in the squad now there.
Asked about the exclusion of proven campaigners, Day said, "I found better players than them. The players I picked performed well in the first phase of the league. Few players happen to be lucky to get in the squad though possibly they haven't played whole of the games nevertheless they did enough during the past to be selected."
In addition to the five new faces, 6 players -- Masuk Mia Jonny, Matin Mia, Shahidul Alam Sohel, Tutul Hossain Badsha, Mohammad Abdullah and Rakib Hossain - staged comebacks.
Replying to a query, Day said, "My aim for is to see in the event these players are sufficient pertaining to the Bangladesh national crew. I want to gain every game however, not worried to reduce the game titles. There are many fresh players in the squad and it is an prospect for me personally to see whether they are much better than the players who played for Bangladesh previously.
"If they're good, we are ready to get into June. If indeed they don't perform well, we will keep eyes on the players who have previously been decided on for the national workforce, are better and take them to the June qualifiers. So that it is a good opportunity for me these players are sufficient to be determined for our key target of June."
Day in addition has kept Jamal Bhuiyan found in the squad but he's not certain if the Bangladesh captain will join the squad found in Bangladesh or found in Nepal after taking part in his last meet for Kolkata Mohammedan on March 21.
A good BFF official informed that Kolkata Mohammedan verbally decided to release Jamal for the Bangladesh team and Jamal's joining the squad will officially be communicated with the BFF after Mohammedan's I League play-off meet against RoundGlass Panjab today.
