Rookie Jayed hoping to step up

– Rookie swing bowler Abu Jayed (right) is pleasantly surprised by his selection in Bangladesh’s 15-member World Cup squad despite being an uncapped one-day player but now faces the challenge of making the playing XI.

Right-arm paceman Jayed, who has played five Tests and three Twenty20 matches but has yet to debut in one-day internationals, was picked for his ability to swing the ball as he demonstrated in the twoTest series in New Zealand.

The 25-year-old has also shown strong form in an ongoing domestic 50-over tournament (DPL) and has taken nine wickets in his last five matches to strengthen his claim for a place in the squad.

“I played well in two matches of the DPL recently and I felt I could have been in the 20-member preliminary squad,” he was quoted as saying on International Cricket Council website.

“So I was surprised when I heard that I was in the 15-member squad. It’s nice to be picked, but now the challenge is to stake a place in the playing XI and repay the faith shown by the team management.”

Jayed’s selection came at the expense of fellow paceman Taskin Ahmed, who missed the Zealand tour with an ankle injury.

Jayed has taken 11 wickets in the five Test matches he has played and was impressive in his last match against New Zealand at Wellington, where he took 3/94.

Jayed would now need to replicate his test success with the white ball in England.

Bangladesh begin their campaign against South Africa at The Oval in London on June 2. –