BAN vs ZIM: Shakib Al Hasan And Mustafizur Rahman To Miss First Three Zimbabwe T20Is

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced its 15-member squad for the T20I series against Zimbabwe. All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and star left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman will not feature in the squad for the first three T20Is, starting on May 3 in Chattogram. BCB's decision comes after Shakib's request to participate in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) to gear up for the T20 World Cup after recovering from an eye problem. Regarding Mustafizur's absence, Sarkar highlighted the need for the bowler's physical and mental recovery after continuous cricket assignments in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the Sri Lanka T20 series, and the IPL 2024 season. Sarkar hinted at the possibility of Mustafizur's inclusion in the second half of the series, subject to his fitness.

Shakib and Mustafizur to miss first three Zimbabwe T20Is

Bangladesh star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will miss the first three games of the upcoming five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. The Bangladesh Cricket Board did not include him in their 15-member squad for the first three games. BCB did not include Mustafizur Rahman in their squad for the first three games. Mustafizur, who is playing the IPL 2024 season with defending champions CSK, will return to Bangladesh following his last match against Punjab Kings on May 1. BCB earlier said that Shakib would be unavailable for a couple of games as the all-rounder wanted to play in the Dhaka Premier League to prepare for the T20 World Cup.

"Shakib is expected to come on April 30 and he desired to play two DPL games and we felt it can be good as in T20 format you don't get time to get ready in the middle and he can have that time," BCB selection panel member Hannan Sarkar said.

Regarding star pacer Mustafizur Rahman's absence, Sarkar highlighted the need for the bowler's physical and mental recovery after continuous cricket assignments in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the Sri Lanka T20 series, and the IPL 2024 season. Sarkar hinted at the possibility of Mustafizur's inclusion in the second half of the series, subject to his fitness.

"Mustafizur is not in the squad as he is playing for long time. He played BPL and Sri Lanka T20 series and later moved to IPL. He is playing for long time and he needs recovery, both mental and physical. Our chief selector spoke with him, and he wanted recovery time in one portion of the series, and we did not include him in the first three games. We might include him in the second portion, meaning the last two T20Is," Sarkar added.

Bangladesh T20I Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Litton Kumer Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanvir Islam, Afif Hossain, Shaif Uddin