Naim points to 'strong pipeline' as Bangladesh A team depart for South Africa

Bangladesh A team’s red-ball squad for the first Test of their South Africa tour included several names with notable international experience.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the squad on Tuesday, the same day the team departed for South Africa for a series featuring two four-day matches and three one-dayers.

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The squad boasts national team opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy, recently dropped from the national team squad for the twoTest Australia series, alongside Mohammad Naim Sheikh, Shahadat Hossain Dipu, Zakir Hasan, Afif Hossain and spinner Nayeem Hasan.

With the national team and HP team in Australia and the Emerging team in South Africa, Naim felt that having four different teams playing at relatively the same time in Australia and South Africa was a sign of a growing pipeline.

“Right now, four or five [Bangladesh] teams are playing in different parts of the world, which means we have a strong pipeline. This is a very good sign for us,” Naim said before departure.

“Since we already have a side [Emerging] playing there and most of the matches are being played at grounds where we will play too, we have a good understanding since we have watched the matches live and are getting ideas about the wickets’ behaviour,” Naim added.

Bangladesh A will have Mizanur Rahman Babul as head coach, while Corey Collymore is expected to join the side in South Africa.

Mahidul Islam Ankon will lead the side in the first official Test. Zakir Hasan is already playing a four-day match with the Emerging team against South Africa and has also been named in the A team squad. Iqbal Hossain Emon, Ankon and Anamul Haque are also part of the Emerging squad currently playing in South Africa.

Wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali and pacer Musfik Hasan returned from Australia after Litton Das and Shoriful Islam regained fitness. BCB had stated in a press release that they would be preparing for the A team’s tour, but neither has been named in the squad. BCB selectors could not be reached for comment.

Squad for the first four-day Test: 

Mohammed Naim Sheikh, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shahadat Hossain Dipu, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan Ankon (Captain for 1st Unofficial Test), Zakir Hasan, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Mohammad Parvez Hossain Emon, Hasan Murad, Nayeem Hassan, Anamul Haque, Al Fahad, Iqbal Hossain Emon, Kalam Siddiqui Alin

Schedule

Bangladesh A Team Tour of South Africa

1st Unofficial Test: August 23-26 August, Pretoria

2nd Unofficial Test: August 30 - September 2, Potchefstroom

1st Unofficial ODI: September 6, Bloemfontein

2nd Unofficial ODI: September 9, Kimberley

3rd Unofficial ODI: September 12, Potchefstroom