Mosaddek new face, Al Amin left out

Uncapped Mosaddek Hossain Saikat was named in the 13-member Bangladesh squad for the first two ODIs against Afghanistan on Thursday. The 20-year old Mosaddek, who made his Twenty20 international debut earlier this year against Zimbabwe, has been a prolific run-scorer in the domestic circuit for quite some time now and it was learned that he was among the national selectors' top choices for the squad. The Mymensingh cricketer smashed two double hundreds in first-class cricket and scored 622 runs in 14 matches at an average of 77.75 for champions Abahani Limited in the Dhaka Premier League this season. “Mosaddek has done very well in domestic cricket, which includes the longer-version tournaments, in the last two years. He did well in the DPL and we feel he is ready,” chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu told the media. Nannu, who leads the three-member selection committee also including Habibul Bashar and Sajjad Ahmed Shipon announced their first international squad where fast bowler Al Amin Hossain was left out due to fitness issues. On the other hand, another paceman Shafiul Islam made a comeback to the national side after nearly two years. Shafiul, who played his last ODI in November 2014, replaced Al Amin, who played only three ODIs since 2015. Al-Amin took 25 wickets in the DPL at an average of 23, while Shafiul took 11 wickets at 37.27. “Al Amin has not been altogether removed from the teams. We have the England series coming up too, and he is in our pool,” Nannu said. “There were a few negative things that have come up about Al-Amin, plus there's some talk about his fitness.” Pacer Rubel Hossain and left-arm spinner Taijul Islam also returned to the side after missing the ODI series against Zimbabwe last November. Mustafizur Rahman (injured), Liton Kumar Das and Kamrul Islam Rabbi were omitted from the squad. Meanwhile, the selectors are waiting to add Taskin Ahmed to the squad if the International Cricket Council clears his ban for illegal bowling action. Taskin's bowling action test result is expected to be given out any time now.Bangladesh squad for the first two day-night ODIsTamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Mosaddek Hossain, Shakib al Hasan (VC), Mahmudullah, Nasir Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Sabbir Rahman, Taijul Islam, Mashrafe bin Mortaza (C), Shafiul Islam and Rubel Hossain