Mehidy Hasan Miraz returns to Bangladesh's squad for T20I series against India
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the squad for the upcoming three-game T20I series against India. Spin-bowling all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz has returned to the squad after a 14-month gap from the format. Opener Parvez Hossain Emon and spinner Rakibul Hasan have also received call-ups.
Emon and Rakibul have featured in three T20Is each. Veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has retired from T20Is and the likes of Soumya Sarkar and Tanvir Ahmed, both of whom were part of the World Cup squad this year, missed out.
Mehidy Hasan, who has often been earmarked as Shakib's long-term replacement, last played a T20I in July 2023. Overall, the spin-bowling all-rounder has featured in 25 T20Is, managing 248 runs alongside 13 scalps.
Bangladesh squad for India series: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah, Litton Kumer Das, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rakibul Hasan.
"We didn't want him to lose his rhythm due to T20 cricket" - Bangladesh selector on Mehidy Hasan Miraz
BCB Chief Selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain suggested that Mehidy would play as a proper batter to help him develop into a specialist. As quoted by Cricbuzz, he stated:
"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."
Gazi added that they have been observing Parvez Hossain in training and are confident about including him in the squad.
"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 first T20I between India and Bangladesh is on October 6 in Gwalior.