[TheWatcher]

From bdnews24.com-

What will the coming World Cup squad look like? Who should be on the team to be announced on February 13? This sports discussion series is concerned with finding answers to these questions. Bangladesh's ex-captains talk about their dream teams with bdnews24.com.

Masud Parvez, bdnews24.com sports reporter, meets the former chiefs of the Bangladesh squad to bring you their views on what the next team should look like. We start the series with Raqibul Hassan's ideal line-up.


Raqibul's World Cup Dream Squad

How can one not expect to discuss the announcement of the Bangladesh World Cup squad when previous line-ups have always generated a slew of controversy?

The 1999 World Cup squad did not have the then best batsman Minhajul Abedin Nannu on board even though he had played brilliantly in practice matches. Selectors were later forced to pick him up because of strong public demand, and Bangladesh eventually benefited from the inclusion of the veteran batsman.

Later, ahead of the 2003 World Cup, the trouble started when the 30-member preliminary squad favoured novices over veterans like Akram Khan, Aminul Islam Bulbul and Naimur Rahman Durjoy.

Bangladesh went on to be thumped in five matches out of six.

Rakibul Hasan, officially Bangladesh's first captain, believes the mistake won't be repeated this time.

Rakibul believes that young-blood should dominate Bangladesh's World Cup squad but feels that the youngsters likely to be selected this time are qualitatively different from the 2003 World Cup team.

"Those who played in the last World Cup were almost not experienced at all in the international arena, but the youngsters, going to get the opportunity in the coming one, are more experienced and accustomed to international matches," Rakibul told bdnews24.com Wednesday.

The former Bangladesh captain would give priority to youngsters on his ideal roster and pick a team with just two changes to the 15-member squad now in Zimbabwe playing the four-match ODI series.

But it would have been nice if we had more senior players, he said.

Rakibul, now playing the role of match commissioner in the ongoing premier cricket league, favoured wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud in place of Mushfiqur Rahim.

Instead of Tapash Kumar Baishya, his surprise inclusion would be uncapped paceman Dollar Mahmud.

"Dollar is a very good and genuine all-rounder, his batting is good enough to play him at number four, and not at a lower order," Rakibul said, praising the promising pacer, who plays for title-holders Old DOHS.

Rakibul said that he'd put Dollar in the Eleven.

As Bangladesh plays against India, Sri Lanka and Bermuda in the World Cup group matches, Rakibul wants to give room to Dollar in the playing eleven, dropping one specialist spinner.

"The wickets in the West Indies are almost the same as those in our sub-continent and I want to field one specialist spinner, the experienced Mohammad Rafique, along with Saqib Al Hasan as we have to face India and Sri Lanka who generally play spinners very well," Rakibul said.

"I want to give room to Dollar Mahmud in the place of spinner Abdur Razzak to strengthen the pace attack along with Mashrafee Bin Mortaza and Shahadat Hossain."

The veteran said, "The inclusion of Dollar would not only strengthen the pace attack, but also increase the batting depth. Paceman Mohammad Sharif might also be considered for the role, but I would prefer Dollar Mahmud."

Rakibul also wants Tamim Iqbal to open the innings along with Shahriar Nafees since Aftab, Saqib, Bashar and Ashraful are the automatic choices at three, four, five and six positions.

"We are yet to get what we want from opener Mehrab Hossain Jr in one-dayers, and I think Tamim can fulfil the need with his aggressive batting display," said the former opener.

"Yes, Tamim is yet to play an international match and it is not at all a problem. Aside from domestic cricket, he has hammered a century in India for the Bangladesh A team, a century against Scotland in a practice match at home and had an excellent time in the Under-19 squad," explained Rakibul.

"Tamim's international exposure has removed his pre-match jitters and made him a confident player," he said.

The former national cricketer has selected 15 cricketers for the World Cup. They are Shahriar Nafees, Mehrab Hossain Jr, Tamim Iqbal, Aftab Ahmed, Saqib Al Hasan, Habibul Bashar, Mohammad Ashraful, Tushar Imran, Khaled Mashud, Mashrafee Bin Mortaza, Shahadat Hossain, Mohammad Rafique, Abdur Razzak, Mohammad Sharif and Dollar Mahmud.

His playing eleven would consist of Shahriar Nafees, Tamim Iqbal, Aftab Ahmed, Saqib Al Hasan, Habibul Bashar, Mohammad Ashraful, Khaled Mashud, Abdur Razzak/Dollar Mahmud, Mashrafee Bin Mortaza, Shahadat Hossain and Mohammad Rafique in the side.