Bangladesh announce Mehidy Hasan Miraz-led squad for first two ODIs against New Zealand

On Saturday, April 11, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 15-member squad, which will take part in a three-match ODI series against New Zealand. However, this squad has only been announced for the first two matches, which will be held at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on April 17 and April 20. The squad for the third and final ODI, which will be hosted at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram on April 23, is expected to be announced at a later date.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz will continue as skipper of the Bangladesh ODI side, which shouldn’t come as a surprise after the Tigers defeated Pakistan 2-1 in an ODI series in Dhaka last month.

There are question marks around opening batter Saif Hassan and batting all-rounder Afif Hossain, who averaged 17.33 and 19.00, respectively, in three innings apiece against Pakistan. However, the Habibur Bashar-led selection committee has decided to give the two youngsters another chance to showcase their skills at the international level.

The selectors have also decided to shift from their rotation policy with the pacers. The quartet of Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana, and Mustafizur Rahman will be playing its second consecutive series.

Bangladesh are ranked No. 9 in the ICC rankings for men’s ODI teams. Meanwhile, New Zealand are only behind India in the rankings. Their last ODI assignment was against the Men in Blue in January. In the three-match series, the Kiwis emerged victorious with a 2-1 score. However, the side that New Zealand will send to Bangladesh will be quite different to the one that toured India as the premier players of the Black Caps’ setup are busy playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Bangladesh squad for ODI series against New Zealand: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das (wk), Afif Hossain, Mahidul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana.