New challenge for Anamul

Scoring runs might not be the only criterion for Anamul Haque's selection ahead of the tri-nation series, with former coach Chandika Hathurusingha having labelled him 'selfish'. However with Imrul Kayes suffering a finger injury, Anamul's case might get fast-tracked, reports Cricbuzz.

Anamul went out of the side after he picked up a shoulder injury in the game against Scotland at Nelson in the ICC World Cup 2015 in March. Since being dropped after having played 30 ODIs in little over two years, it took nearly three years for him to make a comeback, and that too was largely due to the unexpected departure of Hathurusingha, who quit midway through his contract that originally ran up to the 2019 World Cup.

It was reported back then that Hathurusingha was so annoyed seeing his two innings against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in the World Cup that he promised to not consider him again for selection during his tenure as the coach.

"I did not think it that way [Hathurusingha's exit opened door for him]," Anamul told reporters when his attention was drawn towards the former coach. "Anyone can dislike another person and you cannot force anyone to like someone. For me, performing was important because I had the self belief.

"Coaches will come and go, but I have to keep on playing," the 25-year-old added.

The key for Anamul would be his strike rate, something that drew has earned him flak in the past and is also understood to have come in his way in regards to his position in the team. With the emergence of free-flowing stroke-makers like Soumya Sarkar and Liton Das, Anamul's comeback chances have become even tougher.