Naim Sheikh earns recall for Sri Lanka ODIs

Monday - 23/06/2025 03:52

BCB ring in the changes as Litton Das makes a comeback as well in the 50-over squad

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

Naim Sheikh makes his return to the ODI squad.

Naim returns after almost two years. © Getty

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

Alongside Naim, Litton Das, Shamim Patwary, Tanvir Islam, and Hasan Mahmud are also returning to the ODI squad. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah have retired from ODI cricket following their appearance in the Champions Trophy. Soumya Sarkar and Nasum Ahmed were omitted from the squad.

Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman are also making a comeback to the national team after recovering from injuries that sidelined them during 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," said BCB chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain.

Ashraf also mentioned that five pace bowlers were selected to manage workload, especially considering 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 stated.

He added that Soumya, who also missed the Pakistan T20I series, couldn't secure his place due to injury for a significant portion of the last year, with ongoing concerns about his back spasms.

Bangladesh ODI Squad for Sri Lanka Series: