Bangladesh have announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against India. The three-match T20I series is slated to start from October 6.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz returns to Bangladesh T20I set-up
Bangladesh's selectors have made a key decision to bring back all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz to the T20I squad. Miraz hasn't featured in a T20I match since July of last year, having missed the last 24 matches in this format. Despite his absence from T20Is, Miraz has remained a vital player for Bangladesh in both Test and ODI cricket. Joining Miraz in the recalls are opener Parvez Hossain Emon and left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan. These additions demonstrate the selectors' efforts to strengthen the team's lineup for upcoming T20I challenges.
Bangladesh's squad will be sans Shakib Al Hasan, but it was anticipated following his announcement on Thursday regarding his retirement from both Tests and T20 Internationals. Soumya Sarkar, another player who participated in the T20 World Cup earlier this year, has also been omitted from the squad.
Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain acknowledged the challenges Bangladesh will face in replacing Shakib, expressing hope that Mehidy Hasan could rise to a more prominent batting role in his absence. Ashraf explained that Mehidy has been selected to bat higher up the order, without being assigned a specific bowling role.
“The great Shakib Al Hasan has already announced that he has played his last T20I for Bangladesh. We don't have anyone to replace his experience and performance but we feel that Mehidy Hasan Miraz is a good batter who can handle the middle order. Mehidy can play as a batter. We didn't pick him in the previous [T20] World Cup as we usually feel that he has a strong role as an allrounder in Tests and ODIs,” Ashraf said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
"We didn't feel his bowling was a great option in the powerplay in T20s. We didn't want to disturb his rhythm in the other formats. This is why he wasn't in our T20 World Cup plans, which we had clearly communicated to him. We are hopeful of seeing him higher in the order, just above the finisher's role," he added.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz will face a new challenge in his return to the T20I team. His T20I record includes 248 runs in 20 innings, averaging 14.58 with a strike rate of 118.66. His highest score is 46, and he has experience opening the batting and batting in the middle order. Parvez Hossain Emon, a left-handed opener, has earned a spot in the squad due to his impressive performances in training camps during the off-season. Left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan has been selected to replace Tanvir Islam, who is currently injured. Bangladesh's T20I series against India will take place in Gwalior on October 6, New Delhi on October 9, and Hyderabad on October 12.
Bangladesh squad for India T20Is:
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Litton Kumar Das, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rakibul Hasan.
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