Shakib Al Hasan returns to the Bangladesh squad for the last two T20Is

Shakib Al Hasan is back in Bangladesh’s T20I squad after nearly a year. He has been roped in for the final two matches against Zimbabwe in Dhaka. Also making a return to the T20I setup are Soumya Sarkar and Mustafizur Rahman, as the hosts look to continue their winning run after taking a 3-0 lead in Chattogram. 

The trio is replaced by Parvez Hossain Emon and Atif Hossain while speedster Shoriful Islam has been rested. Shoriful played the opening two T20Is while Afif and Parves missed all three games. 

Shakib was Bangladesh's skipper when he last played T20I, his last appearance where he was adjourned the Player of the Match against Afghanistan in Sylhet in July 2023. He was preparing the team towards this year’s T20 World Cup, but an eye condition, a finger injury restricted his appearances after the ODI World Cup in October-November 2023. Najmul Hossain Shanto has replaced him as the skipper across all formats this year. 

The last two T20Is could help the selectors finalise Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup, which as per the reports is to be announced on May 13. 

Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Soumya Sarkar, Tanvir Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin.