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A fresh start for the Tigers

Friday, April 4 2003

Bangladesh go into their home series against South Africa and the precursor tri-nation ODI tournament, also involving South Africa and India with a new skipper, coach, manager and three changes from the World Cup team.

The experienced Khaled Mahmud has had a decent captaincy record for his club sides Brothers Union, Bangladesh Biman and the Bangladesh ‘A’ team. This is his first stint as a captain in national colours.
Mohsin Kamal and his assistant Ali Zia have been confirmed that their contract will not be renewed. The BCB has appointed Sarwar Imran as the interim coach. Imran, a former fast bowler, is a reputed coach in Bangladesh and has done the interim job for the national side previously. Col. (Rt.) Latif, a former Director General of the national sports and education institution (BKSP), is the new manager. He replaces ASM Faruque, the manager in the recently concluded World Cup in South Africa.

Opener Mehrab Hussain and Javed Omar comes in after a succession of good scores in the Premier League. Tareq Aziz, playing for City Club, is the other inclusion into the national side. The fast improving Mohammad Salim of league leaders Victoria Sporting has been called in as a back up for Khaled Masud. Akram Khan keeps his place in the side.

Mehrab Hussain is regarded as the best batsman ever produced in Bangladesh by many but his reckless personal life has often marred his selection. He is the only batsman to score an ODI hundred for Bangladesh and when on song, is a brilliant sight. Javed Omar is the other side of the coin. Gritty and compact, Javed plays with a lot of responsibility. He has a few shots to offer but in a Test Match, he is the perfect foil for Mehrab. Cricket connoisseurs in Bangladesh have long called for this pairing and although they opened together for a while, they never were given an extended stretch. Tareq Aziz Khan is also recalled and he has made a comeback after a major injury to his back. He and three other national pace bowlers including the tearaway Mashrafe camped under Imran Sarwar last July for rehabilitation work to their bowling.

Both the visiting countries are arriving on April 8. Bangladesh play India in the first match of the TVS tri-nation tournament on April 11.


Posted by Isam