Bangladesh has called up Afif Hossain and Naim Sheikh for the upcoming three-match one-day international (ODI) series against Afghanistan in Chittagong next month. The team has made changes to their 15-man squad to strengthen their lineup ahead of the Afghanistan series. Lower middle-order batsman Hossain has been recalled to the squad after being dropped for the recent home and away series against Ireland. Sheikh, who last played in an ODI against Sri Lanka in 2021, has also been included in the squad. The duo forced their way back into the squad after doing well in the recent domestic 50-over competition, the Dhaka Premier League. On the other hand, Rony Talukdar, Yasir Ali, and pacer Mrittunjoy Chowdhury have been dropped to make way for the returning trio.
Hossain played a key role for champions Abahani Limited, making 550 runs in 15 matches. Sheikh, 23, top-scored in the tournament with 932 runs over 16 matches for an average of 71.69. Pace bowler Taskin Ahmed has also returned to the side after injury sidelined him from the Ireland tour. He excelled in the one-off Test against Afghanistan, picking up his career-best 4-37 in the second innings to set up a record 546-run win on Saturday.
Chittagong will host all three ODIs, scheduled for July 5, 8, and 11. Afghanistan will also play two Twenty20 internationals in Sylhet before wrapping up the tour on July 16. The Bangladesh ODI squad includes Tamim Iqbal (capt), Liton Das, Najmul Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Afif Hossain, and Naim Sheikh.
Bangladesh is looking to come back strong after losing to Ireland in their last ODI series and a hard-fought T20 series against the West Indies. The inclusion of Hossain, Sheikh, and Ahmed is expected to strengthen the team and enhance their chances of winning the series against Afghanistan.
