Pace trio rested as BCB announces T20 squad for New Zealand series

Bangladesh vs New Zealand
Bangladesh team
Bangladesh team
Online Desk
Online Desk
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has named its squad for the opening two matches of the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.

The series will begin on April 27 at Chattogram’s Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium, with the second game scheduled at the same venue on April 29.

The final match of the series will be held in Dhaka at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on May 2.

Bangladesh have opted to rest key pacers Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, and Nahid Rana for the first two fixtures, paving the way for a reshaped pace attack.

Left-arm pacer Mustafiz had been granted a two-phase NOC for the ongoing Pakistan Super League, covering March 26–April 12 and April 24–May 3.

He was available for the ODI series but missed the first two matches due to a minor injury; however, he is expected to be fit for his side Lahore Qalandars, for the remainder of the season.

Uncapped pace-bowling allrounder Abdul Gaffar Saqlain has earned his maiden call-up after impressing with his T20-friendly bowling and lower-order hitting ability.

Meanwhile, right-arm pacer Ripon Mondal has been included following consistent performances, particularly at the death.

The 23-year-old has previously featured in three T20Is for Bangladesh during the 2023 Asian Games.

SQUAD

Litton Das (Captain), Mohammed Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Mohammed Saif Hassan (Vice Captain), Shamim Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Ripon Mondol, Mohammad Saifuddin, Abdul Gaffar Saqlain.

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