Mehidy Hasan returns as Bangladesh announces T20I squad for India tour

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have officially announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against India, set to begin on October 6, 2024. The series will kick off in Gwalior, followed by matches in New Delhi and Hyderabad.

BCB recalls Mehidy Hasan Miraz

One of the key highlights of the squad is the return of all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who last played a T20I in July 2023. His recall comes in the wake of Shakib Al Hasan’s retirement from the format, with Mehidy expected to take on a more prominent batting role in the lineup. Alongside him, left-handed opening batsman Parvez Hossain Emon and left-arm orthodox spinner Rakibul Hasan have also been included, marking their return to the T20I side.

Expectations of Bangladesh’s chief selector

Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain emphasized that the changes in the squad aim to strengthen Bangladesh’s batting lineup while providing opportunities for players who have shown promise in recent domestic competitions.

“There are certain reasons why we brought these changes. We want to try Parvez Hossain Emon and before the World Cup we kept him in the training sessions and observed him and in the Tigers camp he trained well and so we felt that we want to include him,” the BCB chief selector said in his official statement.

“In the middle order the great Shakib Al Hasan announced that he had already played his last T20 match and the experience that he had we don’t have anyone close to that but what we feel is that someone who can bat in his place is Mehidy Miraz.”

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Gazi added: “We feel that he can contribute the most with his batting and he is good with off-spin and we consider his batting and bowling with a lot of importance in Test matches and ODIs.

“We didn’t want him to lose his rhythm due to T20 cricket and we had spoken that straight with Mehidy why we did not keep him in the T20 World Cup but at times unexpected things happen so we fill the gap with the one who are considered to be the best possible option. I feel he should get some balls to play and not play as a finisher.”

With Mehidy’s return and a focus on a batting-centric approach, fans are eager to see how this revamped squad performs against a formidable Indian side.

Bangladesh’s T20I squad for India series:

Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah, Litton Kumer Das, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rakibul Hasan

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