Bangladesh on Thursday recalled Litton Das and Afif Hossain to their 15-member squad. The team will play a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan starting next week.
Pacers Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam also returned. The selection panel, led by Gazi Ashraf Hossain, made several changes. The previous squad played an ODI series against the West Indies in October.
Selectors dropped Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan and Nasum Ahmed. Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Hasan Mahmud missed selection due to injuries.
Litton last played an ODI in July against Sri Lanka. He later missed the series against Afghanistan in the UAE. He also missed the home series against the West Indies.
“There may be questions about Litton Das’s recent ODI form. However, he has been working closely with the coaches on his game,” Ashraf Hossain said.
“We are considering him as an option. He can strengthen the middle order.”
Afif has not played international cricket since December 2024. He last featured in ODIs and T20Is against the West Indies.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz will captain the side. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain and left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam will provide spin options.
All three matches will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. The stadium is on the outskirts of Dhaka. The matches will be held on March 11, 13 and 15.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board said the Pakistan squad will arrive in Dhaka on March 8. Officials also dismissed media reports. Some reports claimed the tour had been called off due to the war in the Middle East.
Bangladesh Squad: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Afif Hossain, Mahidul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana.