Shuvagata was played keeping conditions in mind: Bangladesh coach Hathurusingha

Kolkata, 27 March। Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha has said batsman Shuvagata Hom Chowdhury was given the nod ahead of Nasir Hossain because he was considered more effective in the World Twenty20 conditions.

Having played the opening match of the first round, Nasir warmed the bench for the rest of the tournament, even in Bangladesh's last Group 2 fixture against New Zealand at Kolkata's Eden Gardens, reported bdnews24.com on Saturday.

Bangladesh slumped to a crushing 75-run defeat against the Kiwis to end their winless Super 10s campaign on Saturday.

Nasir, who was considered a reliable all-rounder for the team a few days ago, was played in just one match of the Asia Cup -- in the final against India.

Many thought Nasir might be picked for the final World T20 match with Bangladesh already eliminated following three defeats on the trot. But that did not happen. Bangladesh went with an unchanged side that had lost to India.

Hathurusingha kept his explanation brief after the match.

"That is the decision of selectors and the management. We thought Shuvagata will provide better all-round performance (than Nasir)," the Sri Lankan coach said.

Shuvagata, however, was not even in Bangladesh's 15-man squad for the World T20 but Nasir was.

Along with spinner Saqlain Sajib, Shuvagata was flown in to replace suspended bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny. He then played all the remaining matches of the tournament.

"Why Nasir was selected ahead of Shuvagata in the main squad) is a separate question but we thought of Shuvagata because of the conditions, wickets and the opposition," the Sri Lankan-born coach said.

Agency