Tamim Iqbal returns as Bangladesh announce squad for ODIs against England

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a much-changed 14-member squad for the upcoming ODIs against England on February 16. Both teams will play three ODIs starting from March 1 in Mirpur and then will engage in three T20Is from March 9.

Captain Tamim Iqbal has returned to lead the team after missing the last series against India due to a groin injury. But there are a few surprise exclusions from the team that beat India 2-1 at home in ODIs in December 2022.

The 22-year-old batter Towhid Hridoy, who has scored over 400 runs for Sylhet Strikers in BPL 2023, has been included in the squad for the first time. Experienced left-arm spinner Taijul Islam is also part of the team after getting ignored for ODIs against India. 

However, Nasum Ahmed, Anamul Haque, Nurul Hasan and Yasir Ali are among the big absentees for the England ODIs. Nurul was part of the India series but didn't get a chance while Yasir Ali played just one game with a score of 25.

Anamul struggled against India with just 33 runs in three innings but was expected to make the team after decent performances for Fortune Barishal in BPL 2023. Shoriful Islam and Nasum Ahmed are the other two players who have been dropped for England ODIs.

Tamim, the nation's leading run-scorer in ODIs with 8074 runs, last played international cricket in August 2022 during the Bangladesh tour of Zimbabwe. However, he has regained match fitness by playing ten group-stage matches for Khulna Tigers in BPL 2023. He was the leading run-getter for Tigers with 302 runs in ten innings with two fifties so there is no worry about his fitness and form ahead of the England series.

Bangladesh squad for England ODIs: Tamim Iqbal (c), Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain, Taijul Islam, Towhid Hridoy