Shakib returns, Shanto axed as BCB announces squad for SL ODIs

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 15-member squad, along with four stand-by players, today for the first two ODIs of the upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka. The first match of the series is scheduled for May 23 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

A few changes were made in the squad from the 20-member team that toured New Zealand last March for three ODIs and as many T20Is. Premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who skipped the New Zealand tour to attend the birth of his third child, and ace left-arm paceman Mustafizur Rahman were an obvious inclusion to the squad after the duo returned to the country following their IPL stints with Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals respectively.

However, in a rather surprising move by the BCB, Najmul Hossain Shanto, who toured New Zealand but only featured in the final T20I, was not even included among the stand-by players for the first two games of this series. 

Keeping in mind the ODI World Cup in 2023 in India, Bangladesh played Shanto at number three during the three-match ODI series against West Indies earlier this year. But, scores of 1, 17 and 20 saw the left-hander sit out all three ODIs in Tigers' following New Zealand tour before finally being dropped from the squad for this series.

The BCB included four stand-by players for the first two ODIs against Sri Lanka and they also mentioned the reason behind the decision.    

"We announced a 15-member squad with four stand-by players. Taijul [Islam], [Mohammad] Naim Sheikh, Shohidul [Islam] and [Aminul Islam] Biplob are stand-by players. These 19 players are in the squad. We had this squad prepared due to the Covid situation as we might need [any of the 19 players] at any time," explained BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin while speaking to the media through a BCB-recorded video message.  

Pacers Hasan Mahmud and Rubel Hossain, who were included in the 23-member preliminary squad for the Sri Lanka series, were left out due to injuries.

Bangladesh squad: Tamim Iqbal Khan (Captain), Litton Kumer Das, Shakib al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Md Mithun, Mahmud Ullah, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Md Shaif Uddin, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Soumya Sarkar, Musaddek Hossain Saikat, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Shoriful Islam

Stand by: Naim Sheikh, Taijul Islam, Shohidul Islam, Aminul Islam Biplob