Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was left out of the T20I and ODI squads for the upcoming Sri Lanka series at home starting on March 4. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the squad for the upcoming three-match T20I and the first two ODIs against Sri Lanka next month on Tuesday.
Right-arm spinner Aliss Al Islam earned his maiden call-up to the national T20I squad. Additionally, veteran all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad returns to the shorter lineup based on his recent strong performances.
Aliss’ inclusion was a surprising move, as he only scalped 19 wickets in 24 T20s. Overlooking spinners like Mehdiy Hasan Miraz or Tanvir Islam for T20Is was also a head-spinning decision.
Afif Hossain and Shamim Hossain were also overlooked from the T20I side. They were part of the team in the last T20I series against New Zealand.
The Sri Lanka series begins on March 4 with the first T20I at Sylhet International Stadium. The remaining two T20I matches will take place at the same venue on March 6 and 9. The first two matches will start at 6 p.m., while the third will begin at 3 p.m..
The series then shifts to Chattogram for the ODIs, with matches on March 13th, 15th, and 18th. The first two ODIs will start at 2:30 pm, and the third at 10 am.
Following the white-ball matches, the teams will compete in a two-match test series. The first test will begin on March 22 in Chattogram, and the second test will commence on March 30 in Sylhet.