Chattogram, Bangladesh: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has unveiled its squad for the first two fixtures of the three-match T20 series against Ireland, to be held at the Bir Shreshtha Matiur Rahman Stadium from 27 November to 2 December. The announcement comes with two notable changes from the recent series against the West Indies: Shakib Hossain and Taskin Ahmed have been left out, while Mahidul Islam and Mohammad Saifuddin have been drafted in.
Taskin Ahmed, currently featuring in the Abu Dhabi T10 League, had initially received a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the BCB until 23 November, which has now been extended to accommodate his participation. The selectors also indicated a strategic shift towards providing opportunities for newer players as preparation intensifies ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Shakib Hossain has been dropped primarily due to a string of underwhelming performances. Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain explained, “Shakib has failed to score double-digit runs in five of his last seven T20 matches. We are giving him a break while exploring new options. Mahidul has been added to provide a backup for the crucial No. 4–5 batting positions ahead of the World Cup.”
Mahidul Islam, despite limited international exposure—having played a single Test and three ODIs—has impressed in domestic tournaments and developmental competitions. He starred in the Rising Stars Asia Cup and scored 316 runs from 12 innings in the recent BPL at an impressive strike rate of 174.58, showcasing his potential to bolster Bangladesh’s middle order in the shortest format.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Saifuddin, who was included in the previous series squad but did not feature in the playing XI, returns as a seasoned all-rounder. His experience with both bat and ball is expected to provide balance and depth to the side.
The Bangladesh squad for the opening T20s against Ireland is as follows:
| Player | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Liton Das | Captain | Wicketkeeper-batsman |
| Saif Hassan | Vice-Captain | Batsman |
| Tanzid Hasan | Batsman | |
| Parvez Hossain | Batsman | |
| Towhid Hridoy | Batsman | |
| Zaker Ali | Batsman | |
| Nurul Hasan | Wicketkeeper-batsman | |
| Mahidul Islam | Batsman | New addition |
| Mehedi Hasan | All-Rounder | |
| Rishad Hossain | All-Rounder | |
| Nasum Ahmed | Pacer | |
| Mustafizur Rahman | Pacer | |
| Tanzim Hasan | Pacer | |
| Shariful Islam | Pacer | |
| Saifuddin | All-Rounder | New addition |
The BCB’s selections indicate a blend of experience and emerging talent, reflecting the board’s intent to build a balanced squad capable of competing strongly against Ireland and preparing for the high-stakes T20 World Cup.