T20 World Cup: Rubel Hossain remains as reserve, Animul Islam sent back – Bangladesh have confirmed their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup ahead of the final deadline. While the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have retained the entirety of the main squad, there have been changes in the reserves, with Rubel Hossain being the sole backup. Animul Islan, who was initially named among the reserves was sent back home ahead of their trip to Abu Dhabi.
T20 World Cup: Bangladesh retain main squad as Rubel Hossain stays on as reserve, Animul Islam sent back
Speaking to the reporters on Saturday, BCB’s national selector Habibul Bashar confirmed that Animul Islam was returning home. As quoted by Cricbuzz, he said, “Biplob (Aminul) is returning. We have kept Rubel as part of precaution as couple of pace bowlers are carrying slight niggle.”
The duo had been included as stand players following injury concerns to their bowling attack, and Rubel Hossain has been retained as a reserve player for the same reason. The fast bowler will travel with the squad for the entirety of the tournament, and will be the first choice into the team should an injury rule out any player from Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup squad.
T20 World Cup: Bangladesh retain main squad as Rubel Hossain stays on as reserve, Animul Islam sent back
Rabeed Imam, senior manager media & communications of BCB, told Cricbuzz on Saturday confirmed Rubel Hossain’s status as a reserve player in Bangladesh’s squad. He said, “Rubel will be with us for entire event as Reserve Player. In case any player ruled out, Rubel will join as player from the status of Reserve player and the rule is not new as this is in practice from 2017 Champions Trophy.”
The Asian nation will be ramping up their preparations for the showpiece event as they head to Abu Dhabi on Sunday, where they will play two warm-up games against Sri Lanka and Ireland respectively. Bangladesh will then fly to Oman for Round 1 of the T20 World Cup 2021, as they eye a place in the Super 12 stage of the tournament. Mahmuddullah and Co. have been drawn in the same group as Scotland, Papua New Guinea and hosts Oman and will be favourites to progress as the top-ranked team.
T20 World Cup: Bangladesh retain main squad as Rubel Hossain stays on as reserve, Animul Islam sent back
Bangladesh squad – Mahmudullah (Captain), Naim Sheikh, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Saifuddin, Shamim Hossain, Rubel Hossain*
