National selector Habibul Bashar Sumon claimed that senior player Mahmudullah Riyad was rested from the ODI series against Ireland in contrast of the popular belief that he was dropped.
He said, Mahmudullah was rested to check the other options as Bangladesh want to build a best combination for the upcoming ODI World Cup.
"Mahmudullah was given rest. He is a tested cricket and so there is no necessity to test his skill further. To play a big tournament like World Cup, he needs not to prove him but other players need to prove themselves," Bashar said here today.
Zakir Hossain was called up as a new face in this Ireland series team. Apart from this, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Yasir Ali Rabbi returned to the team.
Yasir is considered as like to like replacement of Mahmudullah as the selectors want to test him in the senior player's position.
Mahmudullah made only 71 runs against England in three matches but what went against him, is his lack of ability to bail the side out of danger when it matters most. Also his strike rate and poor fielding was a cause of concern.
The 36-year-old batter had already retired from Test cricket and lost his place from the T20 team. Now axe in the name of rest from the ODI team made his future gloomy.
"If someone is to be taken in his (Mahmudullah) place, he will have to prove his stature. Therefore he is rested," Bashar further said.
"Mahmudullah has already played three World Cups, so it's nothing new for him. But we need to prepare some options because you never know what can happen just ahead of the tournament and in the midst of the tournament. Someone could get injured, someone might have problem. So you have to keep ready some players as stand by," Bashar explained.