Published: Dec 31, 2016, 05:25 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 31, 2016, 05:25 PM (IST)
Bangladesh included spinner Taijul Islam in their 15-man squad for the first Twenty20 (T20) of the three One-Day International series against New Zealand. All-rounder Shuvagata Hom joined Tajiul in Bangladesh’s two changes from the squad which lost the recent three ODI series 3-0. Leg-spinner Tanveer Haider and all-rounder Mehedi Hasan made way for Taijul and Shuvagata as Bangladesh seek their first victory over the hosts at Napier on January 3. Left-arm spinner Taijul is a regular member of Bangladesh’s Test squad and played four ODIs, but he has yet to make his debut in the game’s shortest format.
“Taijul is a proven performer and has done well in recent Bangladesh Premier League (BPL),” stated selector Habibul Bashar. “So, we thought he could be effective alongside Shakib (Al Hasan) in Twenty20 format,” said Bashar, who defended the inclusion of Shuvagata, adding he is a “utility all-rounder”. Paceman Subashis Roy is the only other player in the squad who has not played any T20I. The second and third T20 of the series will be held respectively on January 6 and 8 at Mount Maunganui. Bangladesh will also play two Tests against the Blackcaps during the visit.
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Squad: Mashrafe Mortaza (Capt), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shuvagata Hom, Subashis Roy, Taijul Islam and Nurul Hasan.
