Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain opened up on Saturday about the decisions behind Bangladesh’s Asia Cup squad, admitting some of the choices came after what he called “deep dive thinking” between selectors, coach and captain.
On Nurul Hasan Sohan, who returns to the fold, Gazi Ashraf said the call was strategic.
“There was a lot of discussion around Sohan during the Sri Lanka series. But our formation then meant his opportunity in the first XI was very less,” he said. “We thought it would be better for him to play the Darwin Top End games with the A team. He got ten matches there, proper preparation before a bigger platform like the Asia Cup.”
With Jaker Ali out injured, Gazi Ashraf sees Sohan as the best fit in the middle order.
Saif Hassan’s inclusion was another eyebrow-raiser. Gazi Ashraf said the management needed someone flexible.
“We wanted a batter who could cover multiple spots — three, four, and even open if needed. Saif gives us that. If Hridoy gets injured, we think Saif can slot in. Liton can also move around, but the more cover we have, the better,” he explained.
On the flip side, Mohammad Naim Sheikh missed out. Gazi Ashraf said the opener had “really worked hard” but had not been able to grab his chance.
“We were hopeful he could nail down the spot. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. Even in the Top End T20s he couldn’t answer the questions we had. He knows he has to improve further, and we’ll support him through coaching and board resources,” he said.
As for Jisan Alam of the U-19 squad, the selectors are holding him back a little. Gazi Ashraf used a metaphor.
“Baby willow, over time, turns into mature willow. We are keeping him in sight, but he needs more time. We don’t want to give someone easy access and then drop him quickly. Let him grow, let him be ready.”
Mehidy Hasan Miraz remains a core figure in Tests and ODIs, Gazi Ashraf said, though T20 brings different demands.
“Still, if we are in crisis, he will play. He has the adaptability. Playing all three formats together is tough these days, but Miraz has the intelligence to manage it,” he added.
Bangladesh start their Asia Cup campaign on September 11 against Hong Kong in the UAE, after playing three T20s against the Netherlands in Sylhet.
Gazi Ashraf summed it up bluntly: “Emotionally, I want Bangladesh to be champions. But logically, the path is tough. Nobody gives you anything in cricket.”
