SRI LANKA v/s BANGLADESH, 2024

MAHMUDULLAH MAKES HIS COMEBACK FOR THE SRI LANKA T20Is; UNCAPPED ALISS ISLAM RECEIVES A CALL-UP.

Veteran all-rounder Mahmudullah has made a comeback to the national T20I set-up for the first time since 2022, as announced by the Bangladesh Cricket Board for the upcoming bilateral series against Sri Lanka.

The 38-year-old, who last featured in a T20I against Sri Lanka during the Asia Cup in Dubai, had been overlooked for the past one and a half years.

However, his impressive performances in the ICC World Cup in India and the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League have prompted the selectors to bring him back into the fold.

On the other hand, former skipper Shakib Al Hasan has been omitted from both the T20Is and the opening two ODIs of the three-match series due to his ongoing eye problem.

In addition to Mahmudullah’s return, uncapped mystery off-spinner Aliss Al Islam has earned a spot in the 15-member T20I squad.

The squad also sees the comeback of openers Mohammad Naim and Anamul Haque, along with left-arm spinner Taijul Islam and pacer Taskin Ahmed.

However, several players from the last T20I squad against New Zealand, including Rony Talukdar, Hasan Mahmud, Afif Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Tanvir Islam, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, have failed to retain their places in the shortest format.

For the opening two ODIs against Sri Lanka, the BCB has announced a 15-member squad, including Mahmudullah, Taskin, and Taijul, while omitting Afif, Mahmud, and Rakibul Hasan.

The three T20Is are scheduled to take place in Sylhet on 4th, 6th, and 9th March, followed by an ODI series on 13th, 15th, and 18th March respectively.

Subsequently, a two-match Test series, which is part of the 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship cycle, will commence with the first match in Sylhet on 22nd-26th March, followed by the second Test from March 30th to April 3rd in Chattogram.

T20I SQUAD:

Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Litton Das, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mohammad Naim, Towhid Hridoy, Soumya Sarkar, Mahedi Hasan, Mahmudullah, Taijul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and Aliss Al Islam.

ODI SQUAD (FOR OPENING TWO ODIs):

Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Anamul Haque Bijoy, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Litton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and Mustafizur Rahman.