The T20 World Cup is knocking at the door. And as the last team in the process, Bangladesh announced the 15-member squad for the World Cup today (May 14).

Along with the 15 players, two cricketers have been announced as travelling reserves. Two reserve cricketers are Hasan Mahmud and Afif Hossain. They will go to the United States with the team even they are not in the main squad. Before the World Cup, Bangladesh will play a three-match T20I series against the United States on the soil of the United States. Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu said the possibility of Hasan and Afif playing there.

Another reason of playing them are the injury of Taskin Ahmed. Taskin got a side strain injury before the last T20I against Zimbabwe a few days ago. So, he will not be able to play in the USA series as well as he will miss some matches in the T20 World Cup also.

Talking to the media after the team announcement, Bangladesh chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu said, “With the information we have, maybe he (Taskin Ahmed) will recover at some stage during the World Cup. Because of that, he has been included in the squad. And you may be aware of the ICC policy, if you carry any injured player, you can still replace him if he does not recover later. It's not like you have to go in on the 25th with everyone fresh and then you have to change if you one gets injured, that's not the case. Injured players can also enter the tournament. I don't think Taskin can play in the USA series. But those who are going as reserves (Hasan and Afif) can play there.”

Bangladesh will play against the United States in the first match of the three-match T20I series on May 21.