Included Reza and Taskin on the insistence of head coach: Akram Khan

Taskin Ahmed has found a way back into the ODI set up © Getty

Bangladesh Cricket Board Operations chairman Akram Khan said, on Sunday, that Taskin Ahmed and Farhad Reza were included in the squad for the tri-nation series involving Ireland and West Indies on the insistence of head coach, Steve Rhodes. The addition of the two players saw Bangladesh's squad for the tournament rise to 19, but Khan revealed that there was a need for them as the other pacers have injury clouds hovering above them.

"We included these two cricketers on the insistence of the coach," Akram told reporters at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium after completing a meeting with members of the national selection panel. "We have got some injury concerns and that prompted us to take this decision."

Currently, three pacers - Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin and Rubel Hossain - are carrying niggles. Mustafizur sprained his ankle while warming up for a Dhaka Premier League match on April 10 to join a growing list of injured players. Rubel Hossain sustained a side strain that prevented him from taking part for most of the DPL, while Saifuddin is still nursing an elbow injury.

Neither Taskin nor Reza was named in Bangladesh's premilinary World Cup squad, with selectors making it clear that they were not satisfied with Taskin fitness and form. Farhad, who hasn't represented Bangladesh in ODIs since 2014, found a place in the squad on the back of being the highest wicket-taker in the DPL, snaring 38 wickets.

Akram defended the decision by stating that bowling coach Courtney Walsh had given the green signal.

"Our bowling coach Courtney Walsh said that he (Taskin) is bowling extremely well so we have included him. Now probably he will get a chance in Ireland and we are waiting to see how he performs. It is difficult to perform after a long break at international cricket and more so in an event like World Cup. Still we included him (Reza) in the Ireland series as we want to see how he performs in the one or two matches that he will play."

"At least that will give us an indication of where he stands as far as international cricket is concerned and also help him to understand his own position as well," he said. "So we can also make a plan regarding him as we have him in our mind if there is an injury concern."