Friday, September 8 2006 14:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dhaka: Bangladesh's cricket selectors name uncapped batsman Mehrab Hossain in a 14-man squad for next month's Champions Trophy one-day tournament in India.

"Hossain had some very good performances over the last two years and we hope he can do something in the Champions Trophy," chief selector Faruk Ahmed tells reporters here on Thursday (7 Sep, 2006).

The 19-year-old Hossain, who was captain of the Bangladesh cricket academy team, replaces veteran opening batsman Javed Omar.

"Hossain starts his innings slowly but can accelerate," says Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore.

Batsmen Mushfiqur Rahim and Tushar Imran, and all-rounder Alok Kapali, also fail to find a place in the final squad.

Habibul Bashar, who misses six matches against Zimbabwe and Kenya in July and August due to a thumb injury, is retained as captain although he has yet to recover fully.

Bangladesh plays Sri Lanka, the West Indies and Zimbabwe in the qualifying round from October 7-14. The top two teams will advance to the main competition starting October 15.

The Champions Trophy, which features all the 10 Test-playing nations, ends on November 5.

Bangladesh squad: Habibul Bashar (capt), Shahriar Nafees (vice-capt), Khaled Mashud, Mohammad Rafique, Mohammad Ashraful, Mashrafe Mortaza, Rajin Saleh, Abdur Razzak, Aftab Ahmed, Syed Rasel, Shahadat Hossain, Farhad Reja, Saqibul Hasan, Mehrab Hossain. Coach: Dav Whatmore