Bangladesh Cricket Squad for CWC 2011 without Mashrafe raises controversy

Bangladesh embracing ICC Cricket world cup for the first time on its own soil this year! The country will celebrate will celebrate the occasion with red and green flags! 17 crore people of country will salute the Proud Cricket Team in their each win. The pleasure of win on native country has comparison. So, every cricketer of organising three countries has a special attention for the upcoming World Cup Tournament scheduled to be celebrated during February 19 to April 2, 2011.

Everybody was waiting for the explosion that never burst. Hundreds of Journalists were present at the press conference at Mirpur were expecting a last moment drama, but all the fuss kicked the bucket once chief selector Rafiqul Alam announced the 15-member squad on January 19, 2011.

Almost everyone preferred silence because the Rafiqul-led three-member selection committee stuck to their squad without injured paceman Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, despite the pressure they had been facing from Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) technical committee, which ignited a lot of controversy over the team selection for the last couple of days.

The question was not only about whether injured paceman Mashrafe would be included in the team or not, but also about who between Mohammad Ashraful and Alok Kapali would be included. There was also a question about the inclusion of middle-order batsman Rokibul Hasan.

With these circumstances, everybody's focus was on the selection committee because the question was whether they could show their guts or whether they were going to swallow the bitter pill.

In the end Rafiqul came up with flying colours even though he looked nervous during the press conference as he announced a team made up of players who were part of the squad for the last two years, with no surprise inclusions.

When Rafiqul faced a volley of questions, BCB president AHM Mustafa Kamal was beside him. Kamal surprisingly started to walk soon after the announcement of the team but after a hue and cry the BCB boss came back with the selectors to take questions from the media.

"Yes, it's our team. We discussed with everyone but ultimately we [the selection committee] took the final decision and it's nothing new," Rafiqul responded when he was asked whether this team is what they actually selected.

Coach Jamie Siddons and captain Shakib Al Hasan were also satisfied with the team.

"It was my team, I talked with the selectors and we discussed long and hard. There were lots of arguments and fights. Yes, the chief [Rafiqul Alam] fought for the team. I'm happy with the team," said a delighted Siddons.

"It is without Mashrafe who is probably our best bowler. I want him in the team and I hope he will recover in time. He will be our first replacement and I'm sure he'll come back. It would be better if he's fit by February 19," he said.

Chief selector Rafiqul, captain Shakib and coach Siddons echoed the sentiment that the World Cup is not over for pace spearhead Mashrafe.

"I think this is best possible side. I don't think the World Cup is over for him [Mashrafe]. I hope he will be okay before the start of the tournament proper and there is a scope to include him in the team. His heart might be broken but I have no doubt that he will come back strongly. He is a strong man and has proved it time and again," said Shakib speaking about Mashrafe.

Rafiqul also went on to explain why they had left out Mashrafe despite there being a precedent of including injured players, as seen in the selections of teams like India and Australia.

"You can't compare Mashrafe's injury with other players," said Rafiqul.

The former national cricketer also defended the inclusion of Mohammad Ashraful and left-arm spinner Sohrawordi Shuvo and explained why they didn't consider Alok Kapali in the team. Rafiqul rated this team highly as he said that there were eight batsmen who averaged over 30 in the line-up.

Rafiqul also said that they had the plan to design the team with three pacers and they mainly focused on the spin attack considering the conditions.

"We generally play with two pacers in this kind of condition, so there is no point to take one more pacer in the team," said Rafiqul.

"We picked three left-arm spinners against teams which are weak against the outgoing ball and have more right-handers," added Siddons.

Bangladesh, who co-host the tournament alongside India and Sri Lanka, open their campaign against India on 19th February in Dhaka.

As expected, Bangladesh have loaded their squad with spinners - Shakib, Abdur Razzak, Mahmudullah, Naeem Islam and Suhrawadi Shuvo all providing slow-bowling options along with the leg-spin of batsman Mohammad Ashraful.

However, a day-long strike was observed to press hone demand for inclusion of Mashrafe Bin Mortaza in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in his own District Narail in Bangladesh on January 20, 2010. It is first time in the history of cricket that beloved people of a cricketer have observed strike for him.  

Bangladesh World Cup squad: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Abdur Razzak, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim, Naeem Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Roqibul Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Shahriar Nafees, Suhrawadi Shuvo, Tamim Iqbal.

Thrills over CWC 2011 as 34 days left to kick off

Cricket fans flocked to the picturesque and world famous V and A Waterfront in Cape Town on 31st December 2010 (Friday) evening to celebrate 50 days to go before the start of the game's flagship event, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

The tournament begins in Mirpur, Dhaka, on 19 February with the much-anticipated opener between co-hosts Bangladesh and India.

Joining the many followers of the game in Cape Town were Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat and South Africa and India captains, Graeme Smith and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The full version of the official promotional film for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 was also revealed at the press conference. This promotional film will be part of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 television marketing campaign that will go on air this month.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 trophy was later displayed at the function which concluded shortly after midnight with a spectacular fireworks display.

The celebrations continued till 1st January 2011 (Saturday) at the V and A Waterfront Shopping Centre with the fans having an opportunity to be photographed with The Cup that Counts.

Ms Zille, in her welcome address, said: "2010 will always be remembered as the year of a successful and exciting FIFA World Cup in South Africa. It is a fitting way to conclude 2010 by welcoming the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy to Cape Town."

Mr Lorgat said he was delighted to see so much interest and excitement building up amongst the players and followers of the game.

"With 50 days to go before cricket's flagship event starts, key players are starting to think and talk a lot more about the World Cup".

"The players will soon start with their World Cup focus and preparation and the related anticipation across the world will escalate with each passing day."

With the three host nations busy with extensive preparation and recognizing that a few venues were behind schedule, Mr Lorgat urged everyone to continue with the hard work required to successfully stage a world-class event.

"We must do our utmost to complete all the necessary work to deliver another memorable event," said Mr Lorgat.

He also thanked the host countries and the ICC's commercial partners for their excellent work to date.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith, whose side opens its campaign against two-time winner West Indies in New Delhi on 24 February, shared his excitement when he said: "I can't believe that the World Cup is only 50 days away! The spectacular way that 50 days to the World Cup was marked is a pointer to the magnitude of the event.

"As a unit, we are looking to make sure we head into the showpiece with the best preparation possible."

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said he can feel the World Cup buzz around him.

"With just 50 days remaining before we launch our campaign to win the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, I can clearly feel and sense the tremendous excitement which is gripping the cricket fraternity," he said.

"It is not a surprise to me as it doesn't get any bigger than the World Cup. It is the ultimate dream of every cricketer to represent his country in this competition and win the glittering trophy at least once in his career.

"Every one of us in the India dressing room wants to lift that cup, not only for ourselves, but also for the billions of fans supporting us around the globe. It will require a lot of hard work, self belief and also a positive approach which Team India is capable of displaying at the highest level."

Commenting on his side's preparations for the World Cup, Dhoni said: "I'm happy with our preparations so far as we have gelled well, we have backed each other all the way and have played some excellent cricket lately. But we are also aware that we need to peak at the right time and maintain a winning momentum as the competition will be tough and every team will enter the event fancying its chances.

"Each team and match will bring a fresh challenge and we will have to play to our potential every time we take the field."

The charismatic India captain urged the spectators to play their part in making the event the most successful ever.

He said: "I also take this opportunity to urge the India public and spectators to support the tournament and all the teams taking part in it. I would love to see every stadium packed to capacity even when we are not playing.

"With billions of eyes following the World Cup on television, this would be another great opportunity for us to showcase our love and passion for this great sport. Let us all unite and make the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in the subcontinent the best ever."

However, only 34 days is left to take the craze and test of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 scheduled to begin on 19th February 2011.