Mosaddek Hossain has not played Twenty20 cricket since April 2017

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Bangladesh have recalled all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain for the upcoming three-match Twenty20 against Afghanistan in June.

Mosaddek has not represented Bangladesh in a Twenty20 International since April last year, but had played Test cricket in January to February before he was dropped.

Meanwhile, batsman Imrul Kayes, pace bowler Taskin Ahmed and wicketkeeper-batsman Nurul Hasan failed to make the cut, even though they were part of Bangladesh’s squad during the Nidahas Trophy.

Kayes and Nurul did not play a single match during the tournament, while Taskin only took two wickets in the two matches he played at an average of 34.

As for batsman Soumya Sarkar and the pace duo of Abu Jayed and Abu Hider, they managed to keep hold of their spots in the team.

Sarkar was extremely disappointing during the Nidahas Trophy as he scored 50 runs in five innings at an average of 10.

Hider failed to have an impact in the one game he played, while Jayed did not feature in any of the matches.

Chief selector Minhajul Abedin revealed that the selection committee were hesitant to include Sarkar in the side, but he was given another run courtesy of captain Shakib Al Hasan and head coach Courtney Walsh.

“We also had a question about Soumya but the captain [Shakib Al Hasan] and coach [Courtney Walsh] thought that it would be better to add him,” he said.

The three-match Twenty20 series between Afghanistan and Bangladesh will be held on June 3, 5 and 7 in Dehradun. The matches will be the two nations’ first-ever bilateral Twenty20 series.

Bangladesh Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mahmudullah, Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Sabbir Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain, Ariful Haque, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nazmul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Hider, Rubel Hossain, Abu Jayed