Shafiul Islam, Ebadat Hussain Called as Replacements for New Zealand Tour

Bangladesh has added the services of fast bowler Shafiul Islam to their ODI squad. Islam replaces the injured Taskin Ahmed, who suffered an ankle injury in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League in the match between Sylhet Sixers and Chittagong Vikings. Thus, Islam has been rewarded for his good show in the BPL.

Shafiul Islam has impressed in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League in which he has scalped 15 wickets thus far. Meanwhile, the right-handed pacer last played an ODI match for Bangladesh against England in 2016 at Chittagong.

Shafiul Islam made his first-class debut in September 2016 for Sylhet Division. Since then he has impressed while playing in the domestic circuit.

The speedster has taken 59 wickets in 19 matches. In November 2018, Shafiul Islam had scalped a 10-wicket haul while representing North Zone in Bangladesh Cricket League.

Moreover, he also took a four-wicket haul in Sylhet Sixer’s win over Chittagong Vikings in a recent BPL fixture. Furthermore, uncapped Ebadat Hussain has replaced Taskin Ahmed in the Test squad.

“We picked Shafiul because of his experience while we opted Ebadat because he impressed us with his pace,” chief selector Minhajul Abedin told Cricbuzz. “I am sure both will try to capitalize the opportunity.”

Bangladesh will tour to New Zealand for three ODI matches and as many Test matches. The first ODI will take place on 13th February. Bangladesh’s veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahman believes the series against New Zealand will be ideal for Bangladesh to prepare for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019.

Bangladesh had reached the Quarterfinals of the 2015 World Cup edition and they would look to replicate a similar performance in the forthcoming ODI showpiece.