Mehidy Hasan returns to T20 squad for India series

All-rounder Mehidy Hasan returns to T20Is after a 14-month gap as the Bangladesh Cricket Board announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match series against India. Left-handed opening batter Parvez Hossain Emon and left-arm orthodox Rakibul Hasan have also been called up in the squad alongside Mehidy.

While Shakib Al Hasan retired from T20Is, left-handed batter Soumya Sarkar and left-arm spinner Tanvir Ahmed, who were part of the last ICC T20 World Cup, could not retain their spots. There are changes in almost every department from the World Cup squad, except for the pace attack.

"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," BCB chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain said while announcing the team.

"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," Gazi said. "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," he pointed out.

"Tanvir was with our team but he had broken his hand and that is the reason we picked Rakibul keeping the future in mind. I think the guys who are included it is not a fact that they can claim their spot in the playing XI but we feel that if the captain thinks about any combination Rakibul is a good option at the same time we have also kept Sheikh Mahedi because we feel he can bowl well with the new ball," he said.

Ashraf said that they are confident that Mahmudullah can also play a vital role in the shorter format and as a result retained his place in the squad.

Squad - Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tawhid 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.