Mohammad Naim and Afif Hossain are all set to make their One Day International (ODI) debut against Zimbabwe, as the two uncapped stars have been named in Bangladesh’s 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series at home on Sunday (February 23).
Mashrafe Mortaza also returned to lead the Tigers in the Zimbabwe ODIs at home having missed the cricket since the World Cup 2019 and then Sri Lanka ODIs due to an injury.
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Bangladesh national selectors have come out with as many as seven changes to the team that toured Sri Lanka with Liton Das, Nazmul Hossain, Al-Amin Hossain, and Mohammad Saifuddin recalling for the opening two ODIs against Zimbabwe.
On the other hand, Soumya Sarkar, Anamul Haque, Mosaddek Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Farhad Reza, and Taskin Ahmed have been left out of the ODI squad for the first 2 ODIs.
Minhajul Abedin, chairman of Bangladesh selection panel, told Cricbuzz on Sunday: “There are many changes as we have selected this squad taking the future into consideration. We played the last ODIs a long time ago and now the complexion of the team has changed quite a bit due to various reasons like some were performing while others failed to do the same as per our expectations.”
He further said: “It is great to have Mortaza back as his experience and leadership is vital to our one-day cricket. Saifuddin is also key to the team's balance.”
Meanwhile, Afif, the 20-year-old all-rounder, has already played 10 T20Is for Bangladesh, while Naim, the 20-year-old left-handed opening batsman, has also turned up in five T20Is for the Tigers and recently scored a brilliant 43 in a T20I against Pakistan.
The teams are currently playing a one-off Test in Dhaka with the first ODI takes place in Sylhet on March 1 followed by the second ODI on March 3 at the same venue while the final on March 6.
Bangladesh squad for first two ODIs:
Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Tamim Iqbal, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Liton Das, Taijul Islam, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Naim, Al Amin Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shafiul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
