Mahmudullah in plans to be part of Bangladesh's World Cup squad: BCB President

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Nazmul Hassan revealed on Monday that Mahmudullah Riyad is in Bangladesh's World Cup plans.

In response to a question on whether Mahmudullah is going to be in Bangladesh's World Cup squad, he said, "I think so."

The BCB president believes Bangladesh's cricketers are prone to injury. As an example, he mentioned the injuries to Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the last Asia Cup match against Afghanistan.

He feels the World Cup will require an adequate number of quality players who can perform consistently, and that is why Mahmudullah is in their World Cup plans.

"I see no reason why he wouldn't be in our discussions. Even if 15 players are part of the squad, injuries can happen. Our players seem to be more injury-prone. Just as (Najmul Hossain) Shanto and (Mehidy Hasan) Miraz got injured while batting in the match against Afghanistan. Mustafizur (Rahman) suffered an injury in the previous match. A number of options for each position will be needed. If you think only 11 players will make up the squad, then you are wrong. We need consistent and good options too," he told the media on Monday.

After the Asia Cup, Bangladesh will play a three-match ODI series against New Zealand at home. Keeping in mind the World Cup, the BCB president is looking at the opportunity to play Mahmudullah and Mosaddek Hossain Saikat in this series. Talking about the possibility of them playing, Nazmul said, "They will have a chance to play, I think."

The team management had previously informed the media that the Asia Cup team would be the World Cup team. However, the BCB chief said that it would not happen due to the injury concerns.

"The Asia Cup squad was supposed to be the World Cup one too. But because of so many changed circumstances, that will not be the case. Ebadot (Hossain) would have been part of the squad if he was fit, but now he is not. And if Tamim (Iqbal) and Litton (Das) is fit, they will be part of the squad," he concluded.

Out of the team for three consecutive series, Mahmudullah has been a hot topic of discussion among the Bangladesh cricket team fans. Whether this experienced cricketer will be in the World Cup squad is the main question. BCB officials have come up with different answers regarding this matter in the past. Mahmudullah was not included in the Asia Cup squad and BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin said that he was dropped after discussions with the captain and coach.

The day the Asia Cup team was announced, there was discussion about Mahmudullah not being in the World Cup squad. The Chief Selector's answer to questions about him hinted that Mahmudullah would not be in the World Cup squad.