BAN vs NZ: Bangladesh unveil squad for first 2 T20Is, Abdul Gaffar earns maiden call up

Bangladesh unveiled their 15-member squad for the first two T20Is against New Zealand on Tuesday, April 21. The senior pace trio of Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana has been rested, with the selectors picking Ripon Mondol and the uncapped Abdul Gaffar Saqlain for their impressive performances in domestic cricket.

Rippon has emerged as a death-overs specialist in recent times. The 23-year-old played three T20Is during the Asian Games in 2023 and scalped four wickets. In the recently played BCL one-day tournament, Rippon finished as the second-highest wicket-taker, with eight wickets from four innings.

On the other hand, Saqlain has impressed with his ability to bowl hard lengths and different variations. The 28-year-old is also known for his big-hitting skills. Bangladesh chief selector Habibul Bashar extolled both youngsters ahead of the series, praising them for their skill sets.

"Ripon Mondol has been doing well for quite some time. We can utilise his ability with the new ball, and his death bowling has also been quite noticeable. Saqlain could be our bowling all-rounder option. He has also shown good form recently,” Bashar was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

He also explained the reasoning behind resting Rana with the two-match Test series against Pakistan scheduled in May.

“We have been hoping to see new faces in the T20I side. This gave us the opportunity to rest Nahid Rana and Taskin. Rana obviously needs the rest with the Test series (against Pakistan) coming up,” he added.

T20I series to begin on April 27

Meanwhile, the selectors have dropped Jaker Ali and Mahidul Islam from the squad that played the last T20I series against Ireland in December, 2025. The T20I series against New Zealand is all set to begin on April 27 with the first two matches scheduled in Chattogram. The second T20I will be played on April 29, with the action shifting to Dhaka for the third T20I on May 2.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh and New Zealand are level 1-1 in the ongoing three-match ODI series, with the last match to be played on Thursday, April 23 in Chattogram.

Bangladesh T20I squad for first two matches vs New Zealand: Litton Kumer Das (Captain), Mohammed Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Mohammed Saif Hassan (Vice Captain), Shamim Hossain, Tawhid Hridoy, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Ripon Mondol, Shaif Uddin, Abdul Gaffar Saqlain.