NEW DELHI: Bangladesh has brought back all-rounder
Shakib Al Hasan
and pace bowler
Mustafizur Rahman
for the last two Twenty20 internationals of the ongoing five-match series against Zimbabwe.
Shakib, a former captain, has been out of T20 action since July 2023 due to his political commitments after being elected as a member of parliament for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling party earlier this year.
Despite his parliamentary role, Shakib hasn't retired from cricket, and his return for this series suggests that the talented player remains in consideration for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup in June.
Left-arm spinner Mustafizur was given a rest for the first three matches upon returning from the Indian Premier League, where he emerged as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the season for the Chennai Super Kings.
Top-order batsman Soumya Sarkar also returned to the side after missing the first three matches due to injury.
Parvez Hossain Emon and
Afif Hossain
, both named in the squad for the first three matches but neither making the XI, have been left out.
Pace bowler Shoriful Islam also rested to accommodate the returning trio.
Bangladesh have already sealed the series 3-0, with the last two matches scheduled in Dhaka on Friday and Sunday.
The Zimbabwe tour is the last home series for Bangladesh before the Twenty20 World Cup begins next month in the United States and West Indies.
Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Liton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Soumya Sarkar,
Tanvir Islam
, Mohammad Saifuddin.
(With AFP inputs)
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