Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.
Left-hander batsman Imrul Kayes and pacer Taskin Ahmed have been excluded from the side while all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain returned in the squad.
Pacer Taskin Ahmed, left-hand opener Imrul Kayes and wicket-keeper Nurul Hasan Sohan have been dropped from the squad while Nazmul Islam Apu, Abu Hider Rony, Ariful Haque and Abu Jayed Rahi have held their places in the team.
The selectors have kept their faith in Liton Das and Sabbir Rahman who showed form in some matches in Nidahas Trophy while despite average performances, Soumya Sarkar managed to sneak into the squad.
Chief selector Minhazul Abedin announced the squad through a press conference held on Sunday at the conference room of Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Regarding Mosaddek's inclusion, Minhazul said Mosaddek has enough ability to handle spin in the shorter version though maybe he lacked a bit of consistency at times, team management had enough confidence in his fitness and that is why he was retained in the squad.
The Tigers will travel to Dehradun on May 29 for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, before embarking on the tour of West Indies in late June.
The team will be led by Shakib Al Hasan, who steered Bangladesh in Nidahas Trophy final in Sri Lanka. Dashing opener Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah Riyad and Mushfiqur Rahim all have recovered from injury and back in the 15-member squad. Young spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz is also backed from injury.
The cricketers apart from Shakib and Mustafizur Rahman, who are playing IPL, are currently undergoing fitness camp since May 13. The matches will be played at newly built Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Dehradun. The Tigers will open their tour campaign with a lone practice match against the local selection on June 1.
Afghanistan is ahead of Bangladesh in T20I rankings. The Afghans are placed at No.8 with 85 points. Bangladesh is ranked tenth with 75 points. Sri Lanka is No.9 with 82 points. In order to make improvement in the ranks, the Tigers must need to win by 3-0. That will take them to No.9 and Afghanistan No.10.
SQUAD
Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Mahmud Ullah (Vice-Captain), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Kumer Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shabbir Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Ariful Haque, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Nazmul Islam Apu, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Hider Rony, Rubel Hossain, Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi.
Standby
Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Abul Hasan Raju, Nayeem Hasan.
Itinerary:
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh series 2018:
June 1 - First T20I - 8:30 pm
June 5 - Second T20I - 8:30 pm
June 7 - Third T20I - 8:30 pm
