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A glimpse of the next generation?

Mazhar Uddin
The first match of the two-T20I series against Sri Lanka today in Mirpur may be the start of a
new era for Bangladesh cricket as the selectors included six uncapped players in Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Abu Jayed, Nazmul Islam Apu, Ariful Haque and Zakir Hasan.
The inclusion of so many new names in the squad is part of a plan to use the format as a venue for experimentation for the future, and this may well be the beginning of that era.
These six cricketers have been performing in the domestic circuit for some time now and can be termed, to differing extents, as the success stories of the last season of the Bangladesh Premier League.
While it is highly unlikely that all six will feature in today's match, the following is a look at the paths these cricketers took towards the national team.
AFIF HOSSAIN
Afif, perhaps the favourite to make his debut today and the brightest future prospect, burst onto the scene when he became the youngest to take a five-for, including the wicket of Chris Gayle, with his off-spin on his debut for Rajshahi Kings against Rangpur Riders in the 2016 BPL. Afif was the vice-captain and the outstanding player of the Bangladesh Under-19 team's campaign in the recently concluded ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, where the left-hander hit four half-centuries with two coming against England and South Africa. The 18-year-old was also instrumental with the ball, picking up a five-for and a three-wicket haul. He immediately received a maiden national call-up and is undoubtedly the player to watch.
ABU JAYED
There have been a shortage of fast bowlers who can bowl a consistent line and length and right-arm pacer Abu Jayed may just be the one to fill the gap with his control allied with some raw pace. The 24-year-old cricketer from Sylhet has remained among the top wicket-takers' list for the past few years in the domestic circuit but his performance in the fifth edition of the BPL for Khulna Titans has given him the final push towards a maiden call to the national side. The fast bowler was the second highest wicket-taker in the BPL with 18 scalps and his courage while bowling against the explosive T20 cricketers was noteworthy.
ARIFUL HAQUE
He had been part of age-level sides but Ariful has been out of the scene for quite some time before last season's BPL. A pace bowling allrounder with a reputation of being a big hitter late in the order, Ariful displayed glimpses of his hardhitting ability for Khulna, managing to clinch a few games for his side single-handedly. He may fill the Tigers' long-standing need for a batsman who can clear the boundary with ease down the order and will add further value
with his handy medium pacers.
MAHEDI HASAN
Known more as a batsman than as a bowler, Mahedi Hasan lifted his game when it mattered. During the BPL last season, Mahedi was the trump card for Comilla Victorians with his off spin, and he even outfoxed Gayle when he bowled the lamaican hitman after some controlled bowling with the new ball. According to his Comilla Victorians captain Tamim Iqbal, Mahedi has a big heart and the ability to absorb pressure in crunch situations. The
23-year-old is also a genuine batsman, illustrated by the 160-ball 177 he struck in the National Cricket League last season.
NAZMUL ISLAM
It is a case of'better late than never' for left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam, who has been a prolific domestic performer over the past eight years or so. With 174 wickets in 51 first-class games Nazmul's snake-dance celebration after picking wickets became famous. He is also a tough bowler to go after. The 26-year-old took 12 wickets for Rangpur Riders at an
economy rate of 6.53 and can play a big role in Shakib Al Hasan's absence. ZAKIR HASAN
Young wicketkeeper-batsman Zakir Hasan has been in the age-level setup before his batting exploits in the last season's BPL caught the eyes of the selectors. With good technique and timing, the left-hander played some cameos for Rajshahi Kings in the BPL. The 20-year-old can be a future prospect behind the stumps and the youngster will definitely want to prove his worth if he gets an opportunity.