To address the ongoing middle-order crisis, wicketkeeper-batter Mahidul Islam Ankon has earned his maiden call-up to the ODI team. Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu confirmed that Ankon’s inclusion is part of the long-term plan ahead of the 2027 ICC World Cup.
Ankon has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket in recent years, and this call-up comes as a reward for his steady form. However, his recent campaign in the NCL T20 tournament wasn’t particularly impressive, he managed only 118 runs in five innings at an average of 23.60.
Lipu, however, clarified that recent performance wasn’t the primary factor in the decision. “Our middle order has been struggling, almost everyone has been short of runs,” he said in a video message.
“That’s why we brought in Mahidul Islam Ankon. The 2027 World Cup will be in the ODI format, and among the potential future players, Ankon’s name certainly stands out. His inclusion will strengthen our depth and give the team management and captain more options.”
Meanwhile, Soumya Sarkar returns to the ODI setup, replacing Naim Sheikh, who has been dropped after just one game. Soumya was included in the T20 squad against Afghanistan but couldn’t travel to the UAE due to visa issues.
Explaining Soumya’s recall, Lipu said, “Soumya is a very experienced player who has been around for about ten years. He performed well against the West Indies last November and since Litton Das is unavailable, we felt his experience would benefit the team.”
