Bangladesh announce squad for first two ODIs against New Zealand

Bangladesh have named the same squad of 15 that beat Pakistan 2-1 last month, for the first two fixtures of the upcoming three-match ODI series at home against New Zealand. The squad has been picked by the newly appointed selection committee panel, led by the former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar.

Bashar said they wanted to give players ample opportunities before taking a call on their future. He namedropped Saif Hassan, who has a career average of 25.77 and has racked up 232 runs in nine ODIs at a strike rate of 81.40, including a fifty. He averaged 17.33 with the bat in the bilateral contest against Pakistan.

"Bangladesh played good cricket in the last series," Bashar was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. "There were players in the squad who didn't get a chance to play in the XI. We have set a policy that we want to give a player enough opportunities in the team. We don't want to exclude someone from the team without giving him adequate chances. We believe in continuity, which is why we kept the same team.

"Obviously, the previous selection committee had a plan. They included Saif as an opener in the last series. We want to settle that position in the team. We believe that three matches are not enough for a player. We want to give him some more chances. We don't want to chop and change. Saif Hassan will get that opportunity, and only then we can take a decision."

Bangladesh have a strong fast bowling core comprising Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana, and Taskin Ahmed. Nahid, Mustafizur, Shoriful, Rishad Hossain, and Tanzid Hasan are currently plying their trade in the PSL and are expected to join the rest of the squad members on April 12.

Bangladesh squad for the first two ODIs against New Zealand:

Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das (wk), Afif Hossain, Mahidul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana