Bangladesh’s selectors have introduced again middle-order batter Mosaddek Hossain into the ODI squad for the upcoming three-match sequence in opposition to Australia. The 30-year-old final performed an ODI in August 2022, making this a return after practically 4 years out of the format.
The squad announcement got here forward of the sequence beginning June 9 in Mirpur. It’s Bangladesh’s first bilateral ODI sequence in opposition to Australia in 15 years — a major event that has pushed selectors to rethink their middle-order choices.
Mosaddek is considered one of two adjustments from the squad that performed New Zealand in April. Wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan is the opposite returnee, whereas Mahidul Islam and Afif Hossain have been dropped for the primary two video games.
Sturdy Home Kind Forces Selectors’ Hand
The recall was not with out motive. Mosaddek has been in excellent contact within the Dhaka Premier League this season. In 5 matches, he has scored a century and two fifties, averaging 89 with the bat. He has additionally picked up 11 wickets at 16.27 along with his off-spin, making him one of many standout performers within the competitors.
Chief selector Habibul Bashar was direct concerning the determination. “Mosaddek may bat at No. 6. He’s in good kind. He has extra expertise to supply. He additionally has all-round capacity. He bowls fairly properly. He may supply a stability for us within the middle-order,” Bashar mentioned.
Mosaddek has proven consistency on the DPL throughout the final three seasons, which finally made it troublesome for selectors to maintain ignoring him on the worldwide stage.
Center-Order Struggles Push Tactical Adjustments
Bangladesh’s batting has been a recurring downside in current sequence. Neither Pakistan nor New Zealand sequence produced runs from the center order repeatedly. Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy haven’t hit their marks in ODI cricket, and captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz has not produced the batting numbers he was identified for throughout his robust 2022-23 run.
Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto stay probably the most dependable names with the bat, however that isn’t sufficient depth for a sequence of this scale.
Bashar defined the rationale behind dropping Afif and Mahidul. “We couldn’t present Afif and Mahidul with a variety of alternatives. Changing them is a tactical change,” he mentioned. Nurul Hasan returns particularly to fill the lower-middle-order wicketkeeper-batter position, a spot Bashar believes he handles higher than Mahidul, who is of course a top-order participant.
Bowling Stays Bangladesh’s Strongest Card
Whereas batting questions stay, Bangladesh’s bowling unit seems aggressive. Nahid Rana has been in sharp kind, choosing up five-wicket hauls in each ODIs and Checks since March. Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, and Shoriful Islam kind a stable tempo unit.
Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain provides one other dimension, having performed within the BBL final season and gained familiarity with a number of Australian batters.
The three ODIs are scheduled for June 9, 1, and 14 at Mirpur. Bangladesh’s solely ODI win in opposition to Australia got here again in 2005 throughout a tri-series in Cardiff. Almost 21 years later, a modified center order and a potent bowling assault give them an affordable shot at making historical past once more on dwelling soil.
Bangladesh squad for the primary two ODIs in opposition to Australia
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Mosaddek Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana
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