Bangladesh selectors on Monday recalled fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza for next month's one-day series against Australia after he missed the World Cup with a knee injury. Mortaza, 27, who has 145 wickets in 116 one-day internationals, watched from the sidelines as the Tigers crashed out in the first round of the tournament they co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka.
Uncapped batsman Shuvagoto Hom and all-rounder Alok Kapali were the surprise inclusions in the 14-man squad that will play Australia on April 9, 11 and 13 at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka. Kapali, who played the last of his 65 one-dayers in September, 2008, was brought back to bolster the misfiring middle-order that caused Bangladesh's early exit from the World Cup. Among the four players dropped from the 15-man World Cup squad was former captain Mohammad Ashraful, who managed just 18 runs in three matches.
Junaid Siddique, Naeem Islam and Nazmul Hossain were the other World Cup players to be omitted. Shakib Al Hasan was retained as captain. Bangladesh squad: Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Tamim Iqbal (vice-capt), Imrul Kayes, Shahriar Nafees, Raqibul Hasan, Alok Kapali, Shuvagoto Hom, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Suhrawadi Shuvo, Rubel Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza, Shafiul Islam.