Naim Sheikh earns recall for Sri Lanka ODIs

Naim Sheikh, the left-handed opener, has been recalled to the one-day international (ODI) squad after nearly two years. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 16-member team for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.

Naim returns after almost two years. © Getty

The ODI series is scheduled from July 2-8, with the first two matches in Colombo and the final match in Pallekele.

Alongside Naim, Litton Das, Shamim Patwary, Tanvir Islam, and Hasan Mahmud also return to the ODI squad. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah have retired from ODI cricket, while Soumya Sarkar and Nasum Ahmed were excluded from the previous squad that participated in the Champions Trophy.

Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman are back in the national setup after recovering from injuries that sidelined them from the T20Is.

Naim has played eight ODIs, scoring 95 runs since his debut against Zimbabwe in Sylhet in March 2020. BCB chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain commented on Naim's selection, stating, "I think he changed his batting intent and pattern, and that is what we are looking for from the third opener, as there is a way Tamim and Emon bats, and we are looking [for] someone to bat with similar aggression."

Ashraf added that five pace bowlers were selected to manage workload, as some players are returning from injuries. "You have to understand we have picked five pacers as some of them have workload management while others are returning from injuries," he said.

Soumya, who also missed the Pakistan T20I series, couldn't retain his place due to an injury-ridden past year and ongoing concerns about a back spasm.

The Bangladesh squad for the Sri Lanka ODIs is as follows:

• Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain)
• Tanzid Hasan
• Parvez Hossain Emon
• Naim Sheikh
• Najmul Hossain Shanto
• Towhid Hridoy
• Litton Das
• Jaker Ali Anik
• Shamim Hossain
• Rishad Hossain
• Tanvir Islam
• Mustafizur Rahman
• Tanzim Hasan Sakib
• Taskin Ahmed
• Nahid Rana