Thaindian News

Dhaka, Mov 17 (IANS) Bangladesh has called up 15 cricketers, including injured paceman Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, to attend a camp in Chittagong Nov 18-24 for the forthcoming home series against Pakistan.

Mashrafe underwent knee surgery earlier this year and also missed the World Cup. He has been included as a part of his rehabilitation programme.

Pakistan will arrive in Dhaka Nov 26 to play a T20 international, three One-day Internationals and a two-match Test series.

“Our national physio (Vibhav Singh) requested his (Mashrafe) inclusion for the camp. Mashrafe is likely to be available for selection in January next year,” said chief selector Akram Khan.

Right-arm paceman Shafiul Islam returned to the camp after recovering from his injury. Shahadat Hossain has also been included despite a poor series against the West Indies at home last month.

“There has been no indication about the final squad for the coming home series against Pakistan. We selected some players because we felt they need fitness training while ignoring some as we felt they need match practice, and you know some of our players are now touring with the Bangladesh A team in the West Indies. So we will decide on the final team after this camp,” The Daily Star quoted Khan as saying.

Khan said it will be tough for Bangladesh against Pakistan.

“Pakistan is now in good form. It will be a tough series for the boys and I hope they are very much aware of the fact,” warned the former national skipper.

List of players for the camp: Imrul Kayes, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah Riyad, Alok Kapali, Naeem Islam, Abdur Razzak, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Shahriar Nafees, Shahadat Hossain, Elias Sunny and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.