Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced Fazle Mahmud, the leading run-getter in National Cricket League (NCL), Bangladesh’s premier First-Class tournament as a replacement for Shakib Al Hasan for the national team’s New Zealand tour.
The decision was made after BCB granted Shakib the leave which he had asked for to avoid touring New Zealand for two-match Test series in the new year. Mahmud, who made 603 runs at an average of 60.30 in the NCL is a left-arm top-order batter and part-time left-arm spinner.
The 33-year-old who has so far played 94 First-Class games having made his domestic debut way back in 2004, has played ODI cricket for Bangladesh but was never named in a Test squad. In ODIs too he played only two games against Zimbabwe in October 2018 but was out on zero in both matches.
In another development, Rangana Herath, who was part of the Bangladesh set up during the T20 World Cup and the run-up to it, has rejoined the team as spin bowling consultant for the New Zealand tour.
Bangladesh will be playing two games which would be part of the WTC 2021-23. The Tigers have played two Tests in the WTC so far, but have lost both the games.
Bangladesh squad for New Zealand tour
Mominul Haque (capt), Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Fazle Mahmud, Liton Das (wk), Nurul Hasan (wk), Yasir Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Jayed, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Shohidul Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mohammad Naim