The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. Several players have made their return to the squad, with notable comebacks from Mohammad Saifuddin and Mohammad Naim Sheikh. However, Najmul Hossain Shanto has been left out.
Shanto’s exclusion comes after a prolonged run of poor form with the bat, raising questions among the selectors over the past few series. Having failed to score a fifty in his last 19 T20I innings, he has now paid the price by being dropped. Alongside him, Soumya Sarkar, Tanvir Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, and Nahid Rana have also been omitted.
Naim last played a T20I in August 2022 against Afghanistan. After a long break, he has been recalled to the national side. He is also part of the ODI squad. On the other hand, Saifuddin last played a T20I in May 2024 against Zimbabwe.
Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman have both passed fitness tests and secured their places in the squad. The BCB has formed the squad by blending youth with experience. Led by Litton Das, the bowling attack features Mustafizur, Taskin, Shoriful, and Saifuddin. The spin department includes Nasum Ahmed, Sheikh Mehedi, and Rishad Hossain.
The first T20I will be played on July 10 at Pallekele in Kandy. The remaining two T20Is will be held on July 13 and 16.
Bangladesh Squad:
Litton Kumar Das (captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain, Mohammad Naim Sheikh, Towhid Hridoy, Zakir Ali, Shamim Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Sheikh Mehedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin.
Players Returned: Mohammad Naim Sheikh, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed.
Players Dropped: Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tanvir Islam, Hasan Mahmud.
