The chief selector of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Minhajul Abedin Nannu, has stated that the decision to exclude veteran Mahmudullah Riyad from the squad was reached in consultation with the team management, newly appointed captain Shakib al Hasan, and coach Chandika Hathurusingha. The experienced campaigner Mahmudullah was not selected as part of the 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. According to the chief selector, fitness was the primary concern, and Mahmudullah's recent performance fell below expectations.
"We initially engaged in extensive discussions about Mahmudullah. Following these deliberations, the team management provided us with a plan outlining their approach to facing each team in the Asia Cup. After taking all these scenarios into consideration, Riyad has not been included in the squad," Nannu explained.
"We found the planning presented by the team management to be well-considered, as they have collaborated with the head coach to formulate a strategy for the team's operations. We thoroughly discussed all aspects of the situation, and we also shared these thoughts with our skipper, Shakib Al Hasan," Nannu added.
Nannu disclosed that the team management expressed a desire for an additional spinner and pacer to bolster the crucial number 7-8 positions in the lineup.
"The team management shared a plan with us, which emphasized the need for an extra spinner and pacer, along with considerations for selecting players for the seven-eight positions. We engaged in in-depth discussions on this matter. Consequently, the composition of the Asia Cup squad is a result of these extensive discussions," he elaborated.
Mahmudullah's most recent appearance was in the ODI series against England at home in March. Subsequently, he was omitted from the squads for the Ireland and Afghanistan series.
