Bangladesh will host a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe starting on May 3 this year. This series is significant for the Bengal Tigers as it will be their final T20I series before the T20 World Cup 2024.
The first three matches of the series will be played on May 3, 5, and 7 in Chattogram. Meanwhile, the last 2 games will be hosted by Dhaka on May 10 and 12.
Bangladesh announce their squad for the first three T20Is against Zimbabe
On Sunday, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) revealed the 15-member squad for the initial three matches of the forthcoming series.
Left-handed batter Najmul Hossain Shanto will captain Bangladesh against Zimbabwe. Along with him, the home team included power hitters like Litton Das and Mahmudullah.
No place for Shakib al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman
All-rounder Shakib-al-Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman failed to make their way in the team. According to Hannan Sarkar, a member of the BCB selection panel, Shakib expressed his desire to participate in the DPL. Consequently, Afif Hossain was chosen as his replacement in the team.
“Shakib is expected to come on April 30 and he desired to play two DPL games and we felt it can be good as in T20 format you don’t get time to get ready in the middle and he can have that time,” said Hannan, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Speaking about Mustafizur, the selector stated that they omitted the pacer from the team due to his prolonged involvement in cricket, indicating his need to take a break. Nonetheless, Hannan hinted at the possibility of the board including Mustafizur in the last two matches of the series.
“Mustafizur is not in the squad as he is playing for long time. He played BPL and Sri Lanka T20 series and later moved to IPL. He is playing for long time and he needs recovery, both mental and physical. Our chief selector spoke with him and he wanted recovery time in one portion of the series and we did not include him in the first three games. We might include him in the second portion meaning the last two T20Is,” Hannan added.
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Tanzid Hasan Tamim likely to make his debut
The squad also includes uncapped opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim and the return of openers Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanvir Islam, Afif Hossain, and Mohammad Saifuddin. Notably, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mohammad Naim, Soumya Sarkar, Aliss Al Islam and Taijul Islam, who featured in the last T20I series against Sri Lanka at home in February, did not retain their places in the squad.
Hannan expressed optimism about Tamim and Saifuddin, highlighting Soumya’s absence from the squad due to injury.
“Tanzid Tamim is yet to make debut but we think he is promising and have the ability to play T20 cricket and that is why we included him in the squad. Parvez Emon played only one T20I so far and apart from that he played two matches in a different tournament (in Asian Games) and we want to see him,” the 41-year-old said.
“Soumya is still injured and still could not become fully fit and so we could not keep him three-match squad and later we will take a decision on him after talking with the medical team,” he said. “We feel Saifuddin is an all-rounder and we are planning to play him in Zimbabwe series and we hope he will execute his role in the middle,” he added.
Bangladesh squad for first 3 T20Is against Zimbabwe
Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Litton Kumer Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanvir Islam, Afif Hossain, Saifuddin.
Also READ: Zimbabwe Cricket announces squad for the T20I series against Bangladesh
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