Bangladesh pick uncapped Fazle Rabbi for Zimbabwe ODI series, Saifuddin returns

Fazle Mahmud Rabbi, who has played domestic cricket for 15 long years, has finally got a big break as Bangladesh have named him in the squad for the upcoming ODI series against Zimbabwe.

Mohammad Saifuddin Mohammad Saifuddin

Fazle Mahmud Rabbi Fazle Mahmud Rabbi

The 30-year-old all-rounder’s inclusion in the 15-man squad on Thursday is no surprise after his 708 runs at an average of 47.2 in the last Dhaka Premier League while Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal are sidelined with injury.  

Fazle Rabbi’s left-arm spin has also proved effective in domestic cricket.

Fazle Mahmud Rabbi

Besides Rabbi, all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin has made a comeback, having lost his spot in the squad after scoring 30 and taking only one wicket in three ODIs. He played the last ODI in January.

Bangladesh, however, will mainly look for the performance of medium-pacer Saifuddin.

Mohammad Saifuddin

Another all-rounder, Ariful Haque, who could not make his debut though he had been in the preliminary squad beforehand, has been included in the squad for the Zimbabwe series. Bangladesh are expecting him to make an impact with the bat.

Mominul Haque, Mosaddek Hossain and Soumya Sarkar have been dropped after poor performance in the Asia Cup. Batsman Nazmul Hossain Shanto, however, has survived the chop.

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Mushfiqur Rahim are also in the squad as they are expected to recover fully from Asia Cup injuries. 

The three-match home series will open in Dhaka on Oct 21. The two other matches will be played in Chattogram on Oct 24 and 26.

Bangladesh Squad: Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (captain), Imrul Kayes, Mohammad Mithun, Liton Kumar Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Ariful Haque, Mahmudullah, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nazmul Islam Apu, Rubewl Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Hider Rony, Fazle Mahmud Rabbi, Mohammad Saifuddin.