BAN vs ZIM | Mohammad Naim, Afif Hossain get call-up for Zimbabwe ODIs

Uncapped Bangladesh batsmen Mohammad Naim and Afif Hossain have been called up for its 15-man squad for the first two one-day internationals of the three-match series against Zimbabwe starting next month. Both uncapped batsmen have played T20s for Bangladesh, but are yet to feature in the longest format of limited-overs cricket, ODIs. 

Batsman Liton Das and all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin also return to the ODI side after missing the previous series against Sri Lanka in July.  Mashrafe has also been retained as captain despite concerns over his future, and will lead the side for the first time since the World Cup last year. Minhajul Abedin, an official of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), further expressed his delight over the return of these players.

“It is great to have Mortaza back as his experience and leadership is vital to our one-day cricket, Saifuddin is also key to the team's balance,” said Bangladesh Cricket Board official Minhajul Abedin, reported Sportstar.

Bangladesh ODI squad: Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Nazmul Hossain, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Liton Das, Taijul Islam, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Naim, Al Amin Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shafiul Islam, Mehidy Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman. 

The first of the three ODIs will be played at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet on March 1.