Emon set for No.4 role; no Jaker Ali, Najmul Hossain for T20 World Cup

Parvez Hossain Emon is all set to play at No.4 in the upcoming T20 World Cup as selectors prepared a 15-member squad for the mega event.

Cricbuzz has learnt that Jaker Ali failed to retain his place in the squad following poor form, while Test skipper Najmul Hossain could not make a comeback despite scoring heavily in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League.

Najmul, who was eyeing a return to the T20I side through strong performances in the BPL, is currently the highest scorer in the competition, with 203 runs in four games at an average of 67.67 and a strike rate of 147.10.

It is understood that the Bangladesh national team management requested BPL franchise Sylhet Titans to demote explosive opener Emon to number four so that they could assess him in a new role. The move appears to have satisfied both the team management and his franchise, with Emon scoring 169 runs at an average of 84.50 and a strike rate of 159.43.

"I will have to adapt wherever I play," Emon told Cricbuzz on the sidelines of his preparation session.

"It is challenging, but I am enjoying it. For me, the team comes first more than anything else," he added.

Emon made an unbeaten 33 in the series-deciding third T20I against Ireland to help the hosts clinch the series, batting at No.4 for the first time.

A member of the team management told Cricbuzz that they had spoken to Emon about the role and that he was comfortable with the decision.

"I think with him (Emon) at four, we are more balanced as he provides us with a vital left-handed option further down the order. He also possesses the game to shine at number four, considering he is quite comfortable against slow bowlers," said a member of the selection panel, requesting anonymity.

National captain Litton Kumar Das, following the T20I series against Ireland, said he was pleased with how Emon batted at number four in the final game.

"We experimented with Saif [Hassan] in various roles, so why not Emon?" Litton said while explaining the move.

"If you are anchored to one position, your game becomes predictable. By facing diverse situations now, players won't feel the same pressure when those scenarios arise in a major tournament. We tested him at four, and I think he acquitted himself excellently," he added.

When asked about Najmul and Jaker, the team management member said they did not want to include Najmul only to have him sit on the bench during the World Cup, while Jaker's form was not considered good enough for selection.

Shamim Hossain, who became a talking point after being left out of the opening two T20Is against Ireland, prompting Litton Das to publicly express his displeasure, managed to retain his place in the squad. Shamim is expected to fill the finisher's role.

The BCB finalised the squad following a meeting on December 31 in Sylhet between members of the national selection panel and Litton. According to sources, it was later signed by BCB president Aminul Islam and submitted to the ICC on January 1.

A team official said the squad is unlikely to change unless something unexpected happens in the BPL, although changes can be made until January 20.

Selectors opted for an extra batter at the expense of a fast bowler, with Bangladesh set to play all four group matches in India. They have largely stuck with players who have featured regularly over the past six months, with no major surprises in the squad.