This search for scapegoats really is counter-productive. So you want Mehrab Hosain in the team? His whole inclusion is based on his performance in a couple of A team games and age group level performances. He hasn't played a single ODI game yet. Why are you so sure that he will be our savior at the opening position? We have enough young players in the team already. If he has to make way, it has to be in place of Sakib or Farhad's place or more likely in Ashraful's position.
Don't forget that Bashar has been one of our more consistent ODI performers right before he got injured. Two ducks does not change any of that.
Yes, Ashraful deserves to be left out. I would attribute his problems more to psychological factors than anything skill-based. If Ashraful is left out now, he should not be picked for the World Cup team at all. But, if he has to play in the World Cup, Ashraful has to be persisted with. The best bet for him to regain some form and confidence, is playing against easier opposition, i.e, Zimbabwe and Scotland. If given a few more chances he still doesn't perform, the decision should be automatic.
It would also be suicidal to replace Mashud at this juncture. Mushfiq has simply not done enough to suggest he deserves to replace Mashud. And when most of our top order has batting average similar to Mashud, pointing him out is absolutely unjustified. Mushfiq's time will come.
The core of this team should stay together in the next few months. This team has shown enough positives to suggest that they could be a good one day unit. To bring out consistent performances, there needs to be consistency within the team itself. There also has to be some patience on our part.
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