Mashud overlooked by Bangladesh

The selectors decided Mashud's current form did not merit a recall

Former Bangladesh captain Khaled Mashud has been left out of their 15-man squad for the forthcoming World Cup.

Wicket-keeper Mashud missed the series in Zimbabwe which ended last weekend because of a thumb injury.

And the selectors have decided that youngster Mushfiqur Rahim will continue behind the stumps for the World Cup.

The squad shows three changes, with Rajin Saleh, Javed Omar and Syed Rasel recalled in place of Mehrab Hossain, Tushar Imran and Mohammad Sharif.

Saleh led the side at last year's ICC Champions Trophy when regular skipper Habibul Bashar was injured, but has been out of favour since then.

"Both Rajin and Omar had good domestic seasons and have the experience which will strengthen our batting. We think this is the best combination we have for the World Cup," chief selector Faruque Ahmed commented.

"We also picked Rasel, despite the fact that he has lost pace in recent times. He is an experienced bowler and can swing the ball."

Explaining Mashud's absence, he added: "We have dropped Mashud for poor batting performance, though he is still the best wicket-keeper in the country. We think Mushfiqur Rahim is the better batsman now."

Bangladesh are in the same first round group as India, Sri Lanka and newcomers Bermuda at the World Cup.

And they are eager to give a better account of themselves than they managed in 2003 when they lost all five games, including defeats by Canada and Kenya.

Bangladesh World Cup squad: Habibul Bashar (captain), Shahriar Nafees, Tamim Iqbal, Aftab Ahmed, Saqibul Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Rafique, Abdur Razzak, Mashrafe Mortaza, Shahadat Hossain, Tapash Baishya, Syed Rasel, Rajin Saleh, Javed Omar.