Dhaka: Bangladesh called up batsman Mosaddek Hossain and uncapped fast bowler Abu Jayed for their World Cup squad on Tuesday as they wrestle with a series of injuries.
Mosaddek was named to compensate for fellow batting all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad, who has suffered a shoulder injury and looks unlikely to be able to bowl, said chief selector Minhajul Abedin.
Jayed also got the nod in the 15-man squad as potential cover for pace spearhead Mustafizur Rahman, who is recovering from an ankle sprain, and Rubel Hossain who has a side strain.
Mosaddek, a useful off-spinner, hasn’t played for Bangladesh since last year's Asia Cup, but he forced his way into the reckoning with a series of big scores in domestic cricket.
“We have injury worries over Mahmudullah. Most probably he will not be able to bowl,” Minhajul told reporters in Dhaka.
“So we needed someone down the order who could also bowl a few overs. This is why we opted for Mosaddek,” he added.
Mosaddek played a key role in Bangladesh’s win over New Zealand at the 2017 Champions Trophy, when he picked up three vital wickets.
Bangladesh WC squad: Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Mithun, Sabbir Rahman, Mosaddek, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Jayed.
