Tamim, Riyad return for New Zealand series

Mahmudullah Riyad and Tamim Iqbal made a comeback as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 15-member squad for the first and second ODIs of this month's three-match series against New Zealand in Dhaka.

Mahmudullah faced an axe after the England series at home in March this year following his bad patch with the willow.

Tamim however missed the Asia Cup due to his recurring back injury.

Captain Shakib Al Hasan was in rest along with Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and the pace trio of Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Shoriful Islam.

Liton Das will lead the side in absence of Shakib.

 There was no place for batters Naim Sheikh, Afif Hossain, and Shamim Patwari who were all part of the squad that played in the Asia Cup.

Alongside Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah Riyad, Soumya Sarkar, and Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan also returned to the side.

The uncapped players in the squad are left-hander Zakir Hasan, pacer Syed Khaled Ahmed, and leg-spinner Rishad Hossain.

"The decision to rest players was taken in consideration of the World Cup in India which will be a long tournament where ensuring the mental and physical fitness of the cricketers will be very important. The series against New Zealand provides us an opportunity to take a look at some other players as well ahead of this major event," Chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nanni said on Saturday.

"The squad is a blend of experience and youth and only Zakir, Khaled and Rishad have not featured in ODIs yet. Zakir was very close to playing against Ireland in March before he suffered an unfortunate injury. Khaled has done well in his list A career and Rishad offers a different dimension to our bowling attack."

The Bangladesh team will commence training on September 19 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

The three ODIs against New Zealand are slated to be held on September 21, 23 and 26. All of the matches will be held in Mirpur.

Squad (for 1st & 2nd ODIs): Liton Das (Captain), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Zakir Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Khaled Ahmed.

/KN/