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The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) today revealed a 17-member preliminary squad for the upcoming five-match T20 International series against Zimbabwe, set to begin on May 3.

Notably absent from the squad are star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and left-arm fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who are currently unavailable as they are not in the country.

The squad sees the return of all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin, signaling a potential comeback to the national team after his last appearance in 2022.

Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, the chairman of the national team selection panel, stated that players from this squad will have a greater likelihood of being selected for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will take place in the USA and West Indies.

"Unfortunately Shakib and Mustafizur haven't been in the country at this moment, so we couldn't keep them in the squad. Soumya also has an injury concern. He has been under observation but still he is in the squad so that he can take part in the strategic lecture session," Lipu was quoted in a video message sent by the BCB today.

Zimbabwe will arrive in Bangladesh on April 28 after which they will travel to Chattogram straightway.

Preliminary Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Liton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanvir Islam, Afif Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Saifuddin, Soumya Sarkar.