Shafiul Islam has not featured in a Twenty20 International since May 2013

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

After more than four years, pace bowler Shafiul Islam is set to make his Twenty20 International comeback as he was included in Bangladesh’s squad for the upcoming two-match series against South Africa.

Shafiul has not featured in a Twenty20 International since May 2013, but according to chief selector Minhajul Abedin, his performance in the last edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) was what brought him back on the selectors’ radar.

Shafiul was the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the 2016 BPL as he took 18 wickets for the Khulna Titans at an average of 18.38.

Meanwhile, batsman Mominul Haque has taken opener Tamim Iqbal’s spot as the latter returned home with a thigh injury.

All-rounder Nasir Hossain, whose last Twenty20 International came at the 2016 World T20, and pace bowler Rubel Hossain have also been included in the squad.

“In the last BPL, Shafiul was above all,” Minhajul told ESPNcricinfo. “Mominul has replaced Tamim. He was with Test and ODI squad, so he got used to the experience [of playing in South Africa]. Rubel already has got the experience and [we picked] Nasir as we needed a batting allrounder.”

The Twenty20 series between South Africa and Bangladesh will get underway on October 26 in Bloemfontein.

Bangladesh’s T20 Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mominul Haque, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Liton Das, Nasir Hossain, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin