ZCZC
BSP-16
CRICKET-BD-ODI-SQUAD-ZIM-ODI
Mashrafe returns to lead host side for Zimbabwe ODIs
DHAKA, Feb 23, 2020 (BSS)- Mashrafe Bin Mortaza returned to one-day squad
and set to lead the side for one last time as Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)
announced a 15-member squad for the first and second ODIs of the three-match
series against Zimbabwe.
This will be Mashrafe’s first series since the 2019 World Cup. He missed
the three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka aftermath of the World Cup due to his
hamstring injury. And that series remains Bangladesh’s last ODI fixture.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Nazmul Hossain Papon earlier said
this will be Mashrafe’s last series as captain and he would have to prove his
performance and match fitness if he wants to continue his career since they
will appoint a new captain in a bid to build a team for the 2023 World Cup.
Opening batsman Naim Sheikh and Afif Hossain, who had recently established
them as the vital cogs in Bangladesh’s T20 set up, now found their place in
the ODI squad too.
Saifuddin, who alongside Mashrafe was withdrawn from the Sri Lanka ODI
series due to his recurring back pain made an expected comeback.
The selectors led by Minhajul Abedin Nannu, however, brought up a sweeping
change to the squad that played the last ODI series in Sri Lanka.
As many as seven players– Soumya Sarkar, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mosaddek
Hossain Saikat, Sabbir Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed and Farhad Reza–
were dropped.
Apart from Naim Sheikh, Afif Hossain, Siafuddin and Mashrafe, Bangladesh
also included Shaiful Islam, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Al-Amin Hossain and Liton
Das.
Chairman of BCB National Selection Panel Minhajul Abedin said: “It is
great to have Mashrafe Bin Mortaza back as his experience and leadership is
vital to our one day cricket. Saifuddin is also key to the team’s balance.”
“We had to make certain adjustments in the last ODI series we had played
in as a number of cricketers were unavailable due to various reasons but I’m
happy that we now have a fit pool of players to select from.”
“Shanto’s current form in international and domestic cricket gets him into
the team while Naim and Afif are also part of our long-term plan for the
shorter version.”
Bangladesh will play their first ODI against Zimbabwe on March 1 while the
second and third match in on March 3 and 6. All the matches will be held at
the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Squad:
Masrafe Bin Mortaza (Captain), Tamim Iqbal Khan, Najmul Hossain Shanto,
Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Liton Kumer Das, Taijul Islam,
Afif Hossain, Naim Sheikh, Al Amin Hossain, Saifuddin, Shafiul Islam, Mehidy
Hasan Miraz and Mustafizur Rahman.
BSS/SMP/SSS/1751 hrs