Bangladesh squad for T20I series against India announced, Mehidy Hasan Miraz recalled

On Sunday, September 29, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the strong squad for the T20I series against the India National Cricket Team.

The Bangla Tigers are currently in India for a Test and a T20I series. They are 1-0 down in the Test series against India, having lost the first match by a huge margin of 280 runs, and the second Test is underway in Kanpur, where rain has disrupted the play on the first three days.

After the conclusion of the Test series, Bangladesh and India will lock horns with each other in a three-match T20I series. The matches are scheduled to be held in Gwalior (October 6), New Delhi (October 9) and Hyderabad (October 12).

There have been quite a few changes in the Bangladesh squad for the T20I series against India. From the squad that played the T20 World Cup 2024, Shakib Al Hasan and Soumya Sarkar are missing. Notably, Shakib Al Hasan has retired from the format while Soumya Sarkar has been dropped.

Meanwhile, the star performer Mehidy Hasan Miraz has been recalled to the T20I squad after missing out on Bangladesh's last 24 T20Is. Also, Parvez Hossain Emon and Rakibul Hasan have been recalled.

Bangladesh squad for T20Is against India

Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Litton Das, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rakibul Hasan.

The great Shakib Al Hasan has already announced that he has played his last T20I for Bangladesh - Bangladesh selector

Speaking about Shakib Al Hasan, BCB chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain said that they don't have an experienced player who can replace the all-rounder, but they do have talented Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who can take over Shakib's position and get the job done for the side.

"The great Shakib Al Hasan has already announced that he has played his last T20I for Bangladesh," Ashraf said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. "We don't have anyone to replace his experience and performance but we feel that Mehidy Hasan Miraz is a good batter who can handle the middle order. Mehidy can play as a batter. We didn't pick him in the previous [T20] World Cup as we usually feel that he has a strong role as an allrounder in Tests and ODIs.

"We didn't feel his bowling was a great option in the powerplay in T20s. We didn't want to disturb his rhythm in the other formats. This is why he wasn't in our T20 World Cup plans, which we had clearly communicated to him. We are hopeful of seeing him higher in the order, just above the finisher's role."

While talking about the inclusion of Parvez, Gazi Ashraf Hossain stated that he impressed the selectors during the recent camps. Ashraf said:

"We have made changes in the opening, middle order and spin attack while keeping the pace attack intact."

Ashraf stated, "We have brought in Parvez Hossain Emon in Soumya Sarkar's place. We have observed him in the recent camps. He is part of our future plans. Rakibul has taken Tanvir's place, as the latter is recovering from a broken hand. He (Rakibul) is useful with the new ball."

The chief selector further said that they have a future squad in their minds, but need to give value to the experienced campaigners like Mahmudullah. He stated:

"We have our future squad in mind. We will give value to experienced players. We have belief in Mahmudullah. The captain will have all the options for combinations in this squad."