Naim Sheikh earns recall for Sri Lanka ODIs

Left-handed opener Naim Sheikh has been recalled to the Bangladesh one-day international squad after nearly two years. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.

Naim Sheikh back in the ODI squad. © Getty

The ODI series is scheduled from July 2-8, with the first two matches in Colombo and the final match in Pallekele.

The BCB has made several changes to the squad. Litton Das, Shamim Patwary, Tanvir Islam, and Hasan Mahmud have also been recalled. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah retired from ODI cricket after the Champions Trophy, while Soumya Sarkar and Nasum Ahmed were omitted.

Pace bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman have also returned to the national team after recovering from injuries that sidelined them from the T20Is.

Naim Sheikh has played eight ODIs, scoring 95 runs since his debut against Zimbabwe in Sylhet in March 2020. "I think he changed his batting intent and pattern and that is what we are looking for from the third opener as there is a way Tamim and Emon bats and we are looking someone to bat with similar aggression," BCB chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain said.

Ashraf added that five pace bowlers were selected to manage workload, as some players are returning from injuries. "You have to understand we have picked five pacers as some of them have workload management while others are returning from injuries," he said.

Ashraf noted that Soumya Sarkar, who missed the Pakistan T20I series, could not retain his place due to an injury-ridden year and ongoing concerns about back spasms.

Bangladesh ODI Squad for Sri Lanka Series:

Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Naim Sheikh, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana.