Naim Sheikh earns recall for Sri Lanka ODIs

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

Naim Sheikh returns to the Bangladesh ODI team after a two-year absence.

The ODI series is scheduled to take place from July 2nd to 8th. The first two matches will be held in Colombo, while the final match is set for Pallekele.

Alongside Naim, several other players are returning to the ODI squad. Litton Das, Shamim Patwary, Tanvir Islam, and Hasan Mahmud have also been included. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah previously retired from ODI cricket after featuring in the Champions Trophy. Soumya Sarkar and Nasum Ahmed were omitted from the squad.

Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman are also making their return to the national team after recovering from injuries that kept them out of the T20Is.

Naim 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 stated regarding Naim's selection.

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.

He further explained that Soumya, who also missed the Pakistan T20I series, couldn't secure his place due to an injury-plagued year and concerns regarding a back spasm.

Bangladesh ODI Squad:

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,