Mustafizur and Taskin return from injury as Bangladesh announce squad for three-match T20 series starting July 10 in Kandy

News Body:
In the midst of the ongoing ODI series against Sri Lanka, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has announced the squad for the upcoming three-match T20 International series. The selectors have opted for a mix of experience and youth, recalling opener Mohammad Naim and pace-bowling allrounder Mohammad Saifuddin. However, senior batters Najmul Hossain Shanto and Soumya Sarkar have once again been left out of the squad.

Mohammad Naim last appeared in a T20I in August 2022 against Afghanistan. He is also part of the ODI squad currently touring Sri Lanka. Saifuddin, meanwhile, played his most recent T20I in May 2023 against Zimbabwe and has now returned to the national fold.

Despite being a regular presence in Bangladesh’s T20 setup in recent years, Najmul Hossain Shanto has not managed a half-century in his last 19 T20 innings, which may have influenced his omission. Similarly, Soumya Sarkar remains absent from the squad, continuing a stretch of limited involvement in the national team’s white-ball plans.

Also missing from the squad are Tanvir Islam and Hasan Mahmud, both of whom featured in the last T20 series. Their exclusions have opened up opportunities for returning fast bowlers Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed, both of whom have recovered from injuries.

The three-match T20I series is scheduled to begin on July 10 in Kandy. The second and third matches will be held on July 13 and 16, respectively. All matches are set to start at 7:30 PM Bangladesh time.

The selected squad will be led by Liton Das. The batting unit includes Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, and Towhid Hridoy. Wicketkeeping duties are likely to be shared between Liton and Zakir Ali. The all-round options are bolstered by the likes of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shamim Hossain, while spin duties will be handled by Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, and Mehidy Hasan. The pace attack comprises Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and Mohammad Saifuddin.

The squad reflects the selectors' intent to strike a balance between grooming emerging talents and providing opportunities for proven players to re-establish themselves in the shortest format. As Bangladesh looks to build momentum ahead of upcoming global T20 events, the series against Sri Lanka presents an opportunity to test combinations and regain confidence.

Bangladesh T20I Squad:
Liton Das (Captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mohammad Naim, Towhid Hridoy, Zakir Ali, Shamim Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mohammad Saifuddin.