For the first two of Bangladesh’s three ODIs against
New Zealand in Dhaka the following week, veteran players Tamim Iqbal and
Mahmudullah are among those brought back. In light of the selectors’ decision
to rest a number of other important players in advance of the 2017 World Cup,
their entry will assist level the playing field.
As a result of resting Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur
Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Shoriful Islam,
Bangladesh could present a lineup with a significantly different look when the
series kicks off on Thursday.
In Shakib’s absence, Litton Das will be in charge of
Bangladesh. Mohammad Naim, Afif Hossain, and Shamim Hossain were not retained.
The uncapped trio of Khaled Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, and Zakir Hasan, as well as
Soumya Sarkar and Nurul Hasan, received call-ups.
“The decision to rest players was taken in
consideration of the World Cup in India, which will be a long tournament, and
ensuring the mental and physical fitness of the cricketers will be very
important,” chief selector Minhajul Abedin said. “The series against
New Zealand provides us an opportunity to take a look at some other players as
well ahead of this major event.
“The squad is a blend of experience and youth,
and only Zakir, Khaled and Rishad have not featured in ODIs yet. Zakir was very
close to playing against Ireland in March before he suffered an unfortunate
injury. Khaled has done well in his List A career, and Rishad offers a
different dimension to our bowling attack.”
After missing the ODI series against England in March,
Mahmudullah is back. Prior to being disregarded for the away series against the
same opposition in Chelmsford in May, he was first rested for the Ireland
series at home in March–April. He was also left out for the ODIs against
Afghanistan and the Asia Cup.
Bangladesh is also without Ebadot Hossain, who
underwent knee surgery earlier this month and is no longer considered for the
World Cup. Najmul Hossain Shanto will also be sidelined for the New Zealand
series due to a hamstring injury he sustained following two Asia Cup games.