Bangladesh Bring In Saifuddin and Ankon for First Two T20Is Against Ireland; Taskin Unavailable

Bangladesh have named Mohammad Saifuddin and uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Mahidul Islam Ankon in their squad for the first two T20Is of the three-match series against Ireland, starting November 27 in Chattogram. The duo replace Taskin Ahmed and Shamim Hossain from the squad that featured in the T20Is against West Indies last month.

Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain confirmed that Taskin was not considered for selection as he is currently participating in the Abu Dhabi T10 League. “Taskin has an NOC, so he is not available to us currently,” Hossain said. “We know he will play for Bangladesh whenever asked, but we are following the plan.”

Shamim Hossain, meanwhile, has been omitted, with the selectors opting to test new options in the top order. “We haven’t considered Shamim for the first two T20Is,” Hossain added. “We have picked Mahidul Islam so that we can try someone in the top four.”

Saifuddin, who last played in the T20I series against Afghanistan in Sharjah — a 3-0 win for Bangladesh — returns to bolster the pace-bowling all-round options. Ankon, though experienced in other formats with one Test and three ODIs, is in line for his maiden T20I appearance.

The T20I series will be played entirely in Chattogram, on November 27, 29, and December 2.

Bangladesh squad for Ireland T20Is:

Litton Das (capt), Saif Hassan (vice-capt), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Nurul Hasan, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin