Injury rules Litton out as Saif earns maiden ODI call-up against Afghanistan

Bangladesh have largely retained the core from the Sri Lanka series

Bangladesh will field a familiar core, with a single fresh addition, when they take on Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series in Abu Dhabi later this month.

Saif Hassan has been handed his maiden ODI call-up, stepping in as Litton Kumer Das recovers from a side strain.

On Friday, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) unveiled a 16-member squad for the series, as much of the roster mirrors the side that faced Sri Lanka earlier this year, with just two changes.

Alongside Litton, Parvez Hossain Emon will sit out the series.

The 26-year-old Saif’s consistent performances in recent T20Is earned him a promotion into the 50-over setup, where he is expected to bolster the top order.

Five players -- skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Hasan Mahmud, Tanvir Islam, and Nahid Rana -- are set to depart for the United Arab Emirates early on Saturday to join the rest of the squad.

Left-handed opener Md Naim Sheikh is awaiting visa clearance; he will follow once formalities are complete.

Soumya Sarkar, a part of Bangladesh’s T20 squad playing T20s against Afghanistan in Sharjah, is facing a similar visa delay, which has held up his departure.

The ODIs will be contested at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Oct 8, 11 and 14.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have clashed in 65 ODIs, with Bangladesh winning 40 and Afghanistan 25.

Squad:

Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Md Naim Sheikh, Mohammed Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana