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Bangladesh wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim has revealed that he is “available” to play for the team after the Bangladesh selectors claimed to have rested him. Notably, BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin had earlier claimed that all-rounders Shakib Al Hasan and Shaif Uddin were unavailable due to injuries while Mushfiqur was rested for the T20 international series. Abedin admitted that the wicket-keeper did not ask for rest but they took the decision after consulting management.
I had a disappointing World Cup, needed an opportunity to bounce back: Rahim
Mushfiqur Rahim opened up on his omission from T20I series against Pakistan and commented that he was available for selection. He further said that he needed an opportunity to perform after a poor World Cup campaign.
"To be honest I haven’t reached the stage when I have to tell someone that I need rest. I am definitely available. Why won’t I be? I obviously had a disappointing World Cup. I needed an opportunity to bounce back. I was asked if I was available, to which I said of course I am available. But I was told that the selection committee, team management, head coach, and team director took a collective decision to drop me," Mushfiqur told Channel 24 as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
Bangladesh's disappointing T20 WC campaign made the selectors change the squad. Apart from Rahim, the likes of Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar and Rubel Hossain also did not find a place in the 16-member squad. Meanwhile, newcomers Saif Hassan, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Shohidul Islam and Akbar Ali have been given a chance.
Bangladesh T20 squad: Mahmud Ullah (captain), Naim Sheikh, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Aminul Islam Biplob, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shamim Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Saif Hassan, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Shohidul Islam, Akbar Ali.
