Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz return as Bangladesh unveil squad for Zimbabwe ODIs

Litton Das has been declared fit to join Bangladesh’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Zimbabwe, beginning on July 6 in Harare. Das picked up a left calf strain during the recent third ODI series against Australia in Mirpur. The injury also ruled him out for the following three T20Is against Australia and the upcoming one-off Test against Zimbabwe, starting June 28.

However, he’s now been declared fit for the ODIs that follow the one-off Test, as captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz also returns to the 50-over format after missing the third ODI against Australia due to concussion. The spin all-rounder has also been rested for the one-off Zimbabwe Test.

Bangladesh have largely retained the squad that secured a historic series triumph over Australia in June, with only Mahedi Hasan, who was drafted in as a late replacement for Mehidy Hasan ahead of the third ODI, being left out.

The pace attack will once again be led by Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed, along with Shoriful Islam and Nahid Rana. Like Mehidy, both Taskin and Rana were rested from Bangladesh’s Test squad for the one-off match in Harare.

Vice-captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy remain key pillars of the batting lineup, while Mosaddek Hossain returns with renewed confidence after his Player of the Series performance against Australia.

Zimbabwe won last bilateral series between two sides

The all-rounder had marked his return to ODIs after almost four years, with his last appearance coming on the Zimbabwe tour in August 2022, where the hosts won by 2-1, ending Bangladesh’s nine-year streak of winning every ODI series between the two sides. 

Overall, Bangladesh have won only three of their nine bilateral ODI series played in Zimbabwe over the past 25 years.

Bangladesh ODI squad for Zimbabwe tour: Mehidy Hassan Miraz (capt), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Mosaddek Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana