Bangladesh announces squad for first two ODIs against New Zealand

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the first two One-Day Internationals of the upcoming series against New Zealand.

The squad, announced on Saturday (April 11) via a press release, will be led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, with Najmul Hossain Shanto serving as his deputy. No changes have been made from the squad named in the most recent Pakistan series.

Bangladesh are fielding a full-strength side as they aim to maximise points in home series to secure direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup. In contrast, New Zealand are expected to tour without several first-choice players due to IPL commitments, fielding a second-string or experimental squad.

Given the importance of the series, players featuring in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) — including Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana and Rishad Hossain — are set to return to Bangladesh on April 13. Mustafizur is expected to rejoin PSL duties after completing the ODI series.

The pace attack also features Taskin Ahmed, while the batting unit includes Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Saif Hassan, Soumya Sarkar, Litton Das, Afif Hossain and Mahidul Islam Ankon. Towhid Hridoy has been retained in the squad despite ongoing fitness monitoring.

The squad received approval from BCB’s newly formed ad-hoc committee chairman Tamim Iqbal before being officially announced.

Bangladesh squad for first two ODIs: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Najmul Hossain Shanto (vice-captain), Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Afif Hossain, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Nahid Rana.