Shawdesh Desk:

Bangladesh national team head coach Chandika Hathurusingha believes that wicket-keeper batter Jaker Ali Anik could be a surprise package in the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup, beginning in the West Indies and the USA on June 1.

The 26-year-old was initially left out of the three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka in March at home, but was called up at the last minute after uncapped off-spinner Aliss Al Islam was ruled out due to injury.

And the 26-year-old made the most of it, smashing a blistering 34-ball 68 in his only fourth T20I in the Tigers’ three-run loss to Sri Lanka in the series opener in Sylhet.

Jaker is likely to play at number six or seven in the global event, meaning he will be responsible for finishing the Tigers’ innings on a high.

Bangladesh have struggled to find a consistent finisher since they began playing T20Is, and Jaker demonstrated his ability in both the BPL and recent series’ against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

‘Jaker is new to the team. What I have seen so far is that he has a real calmness around his batting. When he is in a stressful situation, he believes in himself. He is a versatile player; he can bat, keep, field, and train really hard. I think he can be a surprise package in the World Cup,’ said Hathurusingha in an official video provided by the BCB on Saturday.

The Sri Lankan coach branded skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto as a man who leads his team from the front.

‘Shanto is our leader, a very good leader who actually leads from the front,’ said Hathurusingha.

‘In the dressing room, he is jovial; he mixes with boys, but when he gets into the field, he is very competitive. I think he has a big responsibility in his hands in this World Cup as a first-time captain. I am sure; he will get up to the challenge.’

He also described top-order batter Soumya Srakar as a match winner when in form, despite the fact that he is now experiencing a slump.

‘Soumya Sarkar is a naturally gifted player. I think he has underperformed so far. We have seen glimpses of his best and contributed to all three formats of the game. Again, he is a brilliant fielder. When he is at his best, he is a match winner. I hope he will win a couple of games for us.’