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The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has made multiple shuffles in the set-ups across the format. After thrashing Australia in the 1st of the three-match ODI series, BCB has included Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, and Mustafizur Rahman for the three-match T20I series against Australia. They have been out of the ODI squad in the recent past, but after their consistent performance, the cricket board recalled them for the T20Is again.
BCB has made one change in their Test team as well. Experienced batter Towhid Hridoy received a Test call-up after being named in Bangladesh's 15-member squad for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe in Harare. Bangladesh will face Zimbabwe in a one-off Test from June 28, after the conclusion of the 3-match T20I series against Australia, which will run from June 17 to June 18.
Litton Das, captain, Towhid Hridoy, vice-captain of Bangladesh's T20I team
Litton Das has been named as the captain of the T20I squad, and for the vice-captain role, the board has elected Towhid Hridoy. With the inclusions of Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, and Nahid Rana, the pace department looks promising enough on paper.
Australia is currently dealing with multiple issues related to injury and fitness. Some of their top players are missing from the ODI team, and could miss the T20Is against Bangladesh as well. The home team will try to prove its authority against the side that has been going through a transition phase.
While the pacer trio retained their spots in the Twenty20 squad, Tanzim Hasan Shakib, Ripon Mondol, and Mohammad Saifuddin, who played against New Zealand in the shortest format, have been dropped.
“Since the T20I series against Australia is very important, we have tried to form a formidable squad, and we also kept workload management in mind. As a result, we have not included Nahid Rana for the Test series,” Chief selector Habibul Bashar told the reporters ahead of the T20I series.
“Towhid Hridoy plays white-ball cricket regularly. But the type of cricket we want to play in Test matches too, I think he can be a very good option,” he added.
Why has BCB picked Towhid Hridoy for the Test?
Bashar said that he has watched Towhid Hridoy batting in first-class cricket, which has impressed him a lot. The chief selector believes the batter can play impactful knocks against a strong opponent like Australia, and against Zimbabwe in the Test match as well.
“I have seen his first-class game. His first-class record is not bad, and when he bats, he can play very impactful innings wherever he bats. So this is one of Bangladesh cricket's positive signs. Hopefully, I am very confident about him. He will do well if he gets the opportunity with the red ball," he added.
Newly announced Bangladesh squads
T20I squad against Australia: Litton Kumar Das (captain), Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Mohammad Saif Hassan, Shamim Hossain, Towhid Hridoy (vice-captain), Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Abdul Gaffar Saqlain.
Test squad against Zimbabwe: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumar Das, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Towhid Hridoy, Amite Hasan, Robiul Haque.
