Mustafizur Rahman recalled for first ODI against Black Caps

Dhaka [Bangladesh]: Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been included in the 15-member squad for the first ODI of the three-match series against New Zealand to be played on December 26 in Christchurch.

Rahman last played for Bangladesh in the ICC World T20 earlier this year and then was forced away from the game with a shoulder injury. He underwent surgery in August, and was part of Bangladesh’s training squad in Australia earlier this month.

Fast bowler Rubel Hossain has also made a return to the ODI side, while Mehedi Hasan, Tanveer Haider and Subashis Roy have earned maiden call-ups. Nasir Hossain, Shafiul Islam (hamstring injury), Al-Amin Hossain and Taijul Islam have been left out, reports ESPNcricinfo.

Chairman of BCB National Selection Panel Minhazul Abedin said, “We have kept the backbone of a settled squad that has been very successful over the last two years. But at the same time it is also important to get players in who we believe have plenty of potential to perform at the highest level. Tanbir has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket and gives a different dimension to our attack as he is a genuine leg-spinner. He has also impressed the coaching team during the camp in Australia.”

“Shubashis hits the deck and can extract bounce and movement off the wicket. He can be quite a handful in the conditions in New Zealand.”

“Miraz hasn’t played ODIs yet but has all the makings of a very useful limited overs all-rounder. We have reasons to believe that he has the ability to serve Bangladesh in all formats and is one for the future,” he added.

Bangladesh squad for first ODI: Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehedi Hasan, Subashis Roy, Tanveer Haider. (ANI)