A host of key players have been named as Bangladesh announced a strong squad for their upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.
Fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman have recovered from injury and have been included in the 16-member playing group, while T20I skipper Litton Das wins a recall after he missed out on the ICC Champions Trophy tournament at the start of the year.
Shamim Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Hasan Mahmud and Mohammad Naim are also included in the squad, with recently retired duo Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim among the players to drop out of the squad that went winless at the Champions Trophy.
Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain said it was important for Das to be given the chance to earn his place back in the ODI side.
“Litton Das was in a bad patch but time is the best healer. He is the T20 captain, so we can consider him till the next T20 World Cup,” Ashraf said.
“If someone has to return to form, it is best to spend a long time in the middle. We feel that Litton can take his form from ODIs to T20Is.”
A total of five fast bowlers are included in Bangladesh’s squad, with Ashraf revealing this was to help Taskin and Rahman return from injury smoothly.
“We have included five fast bowlers in the ODI side as we have Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed are returning from injuries,” he said.
“We are also mindful of Nahid Rana’s workload management, so we have kept enough options to choose from.”
The opening two matches of the series will be held in Colombo on July 2 and July 5, with the series switching to Pallekele for the final match on July 8.
Bangladesh squad: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud. (ICC)