The selection committee including coach Dav Whatmore and captain Habibul Bashar was seemingly divided over the selection of Ashraful in the 14-member squad for the first three one-dayers of a five-match series against the southern African nation.

But the majority of the panel, however, believes that it is rather dicey to think about bringing in a young prospect as a replacement of Ashraful, who was dropped from the playing eleven against Zimbabwe in the last match of the ICC Champions Trophy in India following the right-hander's poor show with the bat.

Ashraful's blazing 121-runs knock on Thursday in the National Cricket League, however, gave his supporters a strong point to back his position in the side.

It was learnt that most of the members in the panel thought that it would be suicidal to sideline the 22-year old batter in the home series, especially with the World Cup in the West Indies round the corner.

The sentiment is that Ashraful alone is not to be blame for his fall from grace but the selectors should shoulder the responsibility. It were the selectors who have made him confused by rotating his batting position often. Before the ICC Champions Trophy, the selectors had publicly told that they would give Ashraful 'enough time' to settle as an opener but their patience ran out after just two games.

Recently, chief selector Faruque Ahmed has declared that they would not consider the exciting batsman in the opening position while skipper Bashar has also preferred him down the order.

The opening slot is another issue, which will also get the attention in the meeting as a long-term headache for the Tigers.

The think-tank is desperately looking for a partner for Shahriar Nafees in the five-match series but whether they go for a new one bringing young Mehrab Hossain in or go back to good old Javed Omar for a temporary solution would be a decision to watch.

Javed was ignored for the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy and many thought that the problem would never be solved if the think-tank, seemingly confused about the issue, always goes for transitory solution.

The Faruque-led panel will announce a separate team for the Twnety20 match against Zimbabwe with emphasis on young talents apart from naming a 14-member squad for the first three one-dayers.

Zimbabwe will arrive in Dhaka on November 22.