Najmul Hossain Shanto will become the 16th ODI skipper of the country as Bangladesh Cricket Board appointed him Sunday to lead against New Zealand in the series concluding game of the three-match ODI series, scheduled at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on September 26.
The New Zealand team is leading in the series by 1-0 margin after they earned an 86-run win over the host in the second ODI after the first game was abandoned due to rain.
Cricbuzz earlier reported that Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal and Liton Kumar Das will be rested from the third ODI against New Zealand.
Bangladesh have made a number of changes to the squad with Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam all returning after being given a break from the first two games.
Bangladesh all kind of experiment with the team ends with the game ahead of the ICC World Cup and it looks all but certain that Mahmudullah will make a cut in the 15-member World Cup squad following his career saving 49 runs in the second game against New Zealand.
Team management after trying several cricketers in place of Mahmudullah since he was rested from ODIs following the home series against England wanted he had to offer and he seized the opportunity with both hands.
“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 second game against New Zealand.
Squad
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
