Also read: Sri Lanka are favourite, says Perera
In the Test series, the BCB had three inclusions in the squad due to Shakib’s unavailability. Initially the board named all-rounder Tanbir Hayder and spinner Sanjamul Islam and later, made the surprise inclusion of veteran left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak. Razzak was benched in the first Test as he made a brilliant return to the five-day scene after almost four years. Bangladesh faced a humiliating loss in the second and final Test in Dhaka, losing by 215 runs due to batting failure, but Razzak had made his mark, taking four wickets in the first innings and one in the second. The BCB selectors are considering Mithun and Nazmul, backed by their respective performances in the Bangladesh Premier League T20 2017. Mithun was retained by Rangpur Riders for the season and the right-handed batsman scored 329 runs in 13 innings to guide the side to their maiden BPL trophy. Mithun scored his runs at a strike rate of 117.5 and average of 29.9. Mithun last played for Bangladesh in the format during the 2016 World T20. Nazmul also played for Rangpur and caught the attention with his 12 wickets in 10 innings at an economy rate of 6.53. Nazmul’s inclusion in the Bangladesh T20I squad means the side will have a total of six uncapped cricketers in the 16-man dressing room.


