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Old January 21, 2010, 12:53 PM
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Cricketers vow good show


The players of National Cricket Academy were given priority when the selectors picked the squad for the Twenty20 event in the 11th South Asian Games, beginning on January 29.

Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Maldives will be vying in the shortest version of the sport, which has been included in the regional extravaganza for the first time. However, India are not sending their cricket team in the showpiece event.

"Our main strength lies in batting as six to seven batsmen have good strike-rates and we have also good spinners in the side. We only lack in the pace department," said team manager Ehsanul Haque during the announcement of the squad at the Olympic Bhaban yesterday.

Of the 14-member squad, 10 came from the Academy, two from the national U-19 side and remaining two from clubs.

"In the age-group competition, all participants of the subcontinent are equal in terms of strength and we are expecting good competition," said the former national player.

The squad will start its preparation from January 24 before facing Nepal in the opening match in Bogra on January 31.

Anamul Haque and Sabbir Rahman, who are now featuring in the ICC U-19 World Cup in New Zealand, will join the camp upon their return.

Assistant coach Sohel Islam said that late preparation would not affect much to his side because the players were in match practice in the domestic league as well as in different competitions.

Co-ordinator Nazmul Abedin Fahim believes there is a good chance for the hosts to put up good show though Sri Lanka and Pakistan are the strong opponents in the group-stage matches.

The participating five teams will first play round-robin matches from where the top two sides will play for gold medal while the third and fourth finishers will fight for bronze medal.

About the non-participation of Indian side, Bangladesh Olympic Association vice-president and chef de mission Mizanur Rahman Manu said that India did not send their entry because of their tight schedule in the domestic league.

He, however, later said that India were not taking part in the SA Games due to lack of co-ordination between the Indian Olympic Association and the Indian cricket board.

SQUAD
Mohammad Mithun, Nasir Hossain, Rony Talukdar, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Asif Ahmed Ratul, Sabbir Rahman, Jubair Rahman, Ariful Haque, Hamdul Islam Himel, Tanvir Haider, Subashish Roy, Emon Ahmed, Sanjamul Islam and Nazmul Islam Apu.

Officials: Ehsanul Haque (manager), Sarwar Imran (head coach), Sohel Islam (asst coach), Azmal Ahmed Mithu (physio) and M Salahuddin (computer analyst).

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesig...php?nid=122879
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