Faruque Ahmed-led selection panel brought two new faces into the senior side as they believe that the coming African trip, where the Habibul Bashar's men will play eight one-day internationals, is a perfect stage to look at the young talents.

"Definitely it is an opportunity for us to look at the young talents in the tour ahead of two big events (Champions Trophy and World Cup) and both have (Sakib and Forhad) already proved that they have the calibre to go one step forward," said Faruque.

"We were looking for good all-rounders for the one-day side and we believe that they could be the right ones. It would be nice for our team if they can justify their inclusion in the senior side," he added.

Sakib is a top order batsman and a useful left-arm spinner while Forhad Reza is a seaming all-rounder who many believe can be a perfect replacement for former Bangladesh captain Khaled Mahmud. Both the players are now accompanying the Bangladesh A team in Zimbabwe.

There was also another significant inclusion in the team as wicketkeeper cum batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, who has already played two Tests but yet to make his one-day debut, was included as the reserve stumper for veteran Khaled Mashud.

"Yes, there are two wicketkeepers in the side and it is because we are looking for an alternative who can also contribute as a batsman. Mushfiqur is yet to play one-dayers. It's true we have repeatedly said that he is suitable for the longer-version game but that doesn't mean he will not be fruitful for one-day game," explained the former skipper.

Dashing batsman Tushar Imran, left-arm spinners Abdur Razzak and Manjarul Islam and pacer Tapash Baisya -- included in the 19-member preliminary squad announced on May 28 -- will miss the trip.

Captain Habibul Bashar also has the same feeling and said that it would be worthy for the team before the Champions Trophy, which will take place in India in October, if the two young players prove their worth as all-rounders.

"No doubt the players who were dropped from the squad, especially two left-arm spinners Razzak and Rana, have had a very impressive performance but we thought that this is a good opportunity to spot some good all-rounders. For last few series you saw that we had a very vulnerable lower-order batting and I believe the two young guys can solve the problem," said Bashar, who is yet to get official conformation about his reappointment as captain till next World Cup.

"I think three one-day internationals against Kenya and the five-match series against Zimbabwe will give us an opportunity to find a good combination before the Champions Trophy," he added.

Bangladesh will fly for Nairobi on July 16 to play three one-day matches against ICC associate members Kenya and then they will tour Zimbabwe to play five-match series at Harare.

TEAM
Habibul Bashar (captain), Mohammad Ashraful, Shahriar Nafees, Rajin Saleh, Javed Omar, Aftab Ahmed, Mushfiqur Rahim, Khaled Mashud, Mohammad Rafique, Mashrafee Bin Mortuza, Syed Rasel, Shahadat Hossain, Forhad Reza,Sakib Al Hasan and Alok Kapali.