The full-member Bangladesh ODI and Test squads have been announced for their upcoming New Zealand Tour. Bangladesh middle-order batsman Sabbir Rahman, who is set to complete his six-month suspension at the end of this month, has been recalled in the ODI squad.
Bangladesh will play three-match ODI series and subsequently three-match Test series against the hosts New Zealand from 13 February. While Mashrafe Mortaza will lead the ODI side, Shakib Al Hasan will lead the Test side.
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Talking about the big news of this team selection, the 27-year-old middle-order batsman Sabbir Rahman has been recalled in the ODI squad. Sabbir Rahman played his last international game on 28 July 2018 during the Basseterre ODI against Windies. Due to abusing a fan on social media, Rahman has been handed a six-month suspension from the international cricket by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The suspension period is set to end at the end of this month.
Speaking about his inclusion in the national squad, the chief selector Minhajul Abedin said, “We were informed by the disciplinary committee that he is available [for selection] and after we got the clearance we included him in the squad. He is available from January 31 as the committee has reduced his ban by one month.
“Let me make clear one thing about Sabbir. He was included due to the strong insistence of the captain [Mortaza]. He firmly requested us to include him, and we have agreed with the captain.
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“The team wants someone in the squad who can bat lower in the order with the ability to handle the pacers well. We have included him keeping the New Zealand tour and the World Cup in mind. Let us see what he can do. The captain of the team and we are also confident about him.”
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On the other hand, the 23-year-old pacer Taskin Ahmed has also returned to the national squad after getting selected in both the formats of the upcoming New Zealand tour. Taskin is currently in a brilliant form with the ball in hand as he has picked up 16 wickets in eight matches of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (2018/19 BPL) and he is standing at the second position of the most wicket-taking list of the tournament. He played his last international game during the 2018 Nidahas Trophy (T20I format) in last March while his last Test and ODI matches were both in October 2017.
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The Full squads of Bangladesh cricket team for the 2018/19 New Zealand tour
ODI squad: Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan (VC), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Mithun, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed, Sabbir Rahman and Nayeem Hasan
Test squad: Shakib Al Hasan (C), Mahmudullah, (VC), Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Jayed Rahi, Syed Khaled Ahmed and Nayeem Hasan
The full schedule of Bangladesh tour of New Zealand in 2018/19
(50-over warm-up match)
10th February: New Zealand XI vs Bangladesh – Bert Sutcliffe Oval (Lincoln)
(Three-match ODI series)
13th February: First ODI – McLean Park (Napier)
16th February: Second ODI – Hagley Oval (Christchurch)
20th February: Third ODI – University Oval (Dunedin)
(Two-day warm-up match)
23-24 February: New Zealand XI vs Bangladesh – Bert Sutcliffe Oval (Lincoln)
(Three-match Test series)
28 February–4 March: First Test – Seddon Park (Hamilton)
8–12 March: Second Test – Basin Reserve (Wellington)
16–20 March: Third Test – Hagley Oval (Christchurch)
