The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has named Najmul Hossain Shanto as the team’s 16th ODI captain for the team. He will lead Bangladesh against New Zealand in the final game of the three-match ODI series on September 26 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
After the first ODI was called off due to rain, the New Zealand side won the second match against the hosts convincingly by 86 runs to take a 1-0 series lead in the three-match series. Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Liton Kumar Das are likely to be given a break during the third ODI game against the Black Caps.
Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, and Shoriful Islam are all back in the Bangladesh team after missing the first two games due to a break. Bangladesh will wrap up its preparation for the ODI World Cup with the final game on Tuesday.
Veteran Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah appears to join the 15-member World Cup squad after his brilliant 49 runs in the second game against New Zealand.
“He (Mahmudullah) was brilliant and had a small partnership with him and his intent was good and never looked like he was coming after a gap of six to seven months. He looked good and the fielding was good and whenever the ball went to him he tried to give his best and personally, I feel that he did really well,” said Tamim after the conclusion of the 2nd ODI game.
Mahmudullah is one of the most experienced players in the Bangladesh team over the years. The veteran’s best performance came up in the 2015 ODI World Cup in Australia where he played a crucial role for his team in the marquee event and can be handy with the ball in sub-continental conditions.
The Bangladesh team is expected to walk in as an underdog team going into the tournament as they have got some quality players on the side, with their experience can come in handy in Asian conditions.
The team has experienced players in the lineup with the likes of Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mushfiqur Rahim, in the team, as they will look to use their experience to do well in the ODI World Cup in India.
Bangladesh Squad For Final ODI Against New Zealand
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Zakir Hasan, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Rishad Hossain