Bangladesh hand Abdul Gaffar Saqlain maiden call-up for NZ T20Is

Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, an uncapped pace-bowling all-rounder, has been included in Bangladesh's 15-member squad for the first two T20Is against New Zealand.

Saqlain received his maiden call-up to the national team, with the team management believing his bowling skills are well-suited for the T20 format. He is also noted as a handy lower-order batter with power-hitting ability.

Right-arm quick Ripon Mondol has also been rewarded for his consistency, particularly impressing with his death bowling. The 23-year-old has played three T20 matches for Bangladesh, all during the 2023 Asian Games cricket competition.

Bangladesh T20I squad for the first two matches: Litton Kumer Das (Captain), Mohammed Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Mohammed Saif Hassan (Vice Captain), Shamim Hossain, Tawhid Hridoy, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Ripon Mondol, Shaif Uddin, Abdul Gaffar Saqlain.

"You have noticed we have included two new faces in Ripon Mondol and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain. Of course, Ripon is playing well; we can utilise his wicket-taking skills. As for Saqlain, we were looking for a bowling all-rounder, that's why we picked him. I hope he will be able to fill the absence of a bowling all-rounder in the team," said Habibul Bashar, chairman of the selection panel.

The team management has decided to rest experienced pacers Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed, as well as tearaway quick Nahid Rana, for the first two matches of the three-match series. Mustafizur Rahman is expected to depart for the Pakistan Super League to join Lahore Qalandars.

"Obviously, we wanted to try some new faces in the T20 side, that's why we rested Nahid Rana and also Taskin Ahmed. Nahid needs rest after playing the One Day Internationals (against New Zealand) and before the Test matches," Habibul added, noting they are also banking on the ability of another pace bowling all-rounder, Mohammad Saifuddin.

"We have a good all-rounder in the squad in Saifuddin. We didn't change the batsmen; those who were here previously have been retained. We hope the T20 team would play well," the chief selector concluded.

Series Schedule:

• 1st T20I: April 27, Chattogram
• 2nd T20I: April 29, Chattogram
• 3rd T20I: May 2, Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka