Uncapped spinner Sanjamul named in Bangladesh squad for Sri Lanka ODIs

Mehedi Hasan, Liton Das, Kamrul Hasan, Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam of the Test squad were not included in the ODI side.

Bangladesh will play three one-day internationals in Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh on Monday called up uncapped left-arm spinner Sanjamul Islam for its 16-man squad for the three-match one-day international series against Sri Lanka.

Skipper Mashrafe Mortaza, all-rounder Shuvagata Hom, wicket-keeper Nurul Hasan and uncapped Sanjamul will join 12 players, who are already in Sri Lanka for the two Test series.

Mehedi Hasan, Liton Das, Kamrul Hasan, Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam of the Test squad were not included in the ODI side. “We needed a left-arm spinner who could support Shakib (Al Hasan),” chief selector Minhajul Abedin told reporters about the inclusion of 27-year old Sanjamul.

“Taijul (Islam) is not a regular player in the ODIs. So we thought Sanjamul would be the best option because he is also a long-term prospect.”

Beleaguered batsman Mahmudullah, who was axed from the squad for the second Test and would return home for a brief period, retained his place in the ODI side.

Bangladesh is currently trailing Sri Lanka in the two-Test series after a crushing 259-run loss in the first Test in Galle.

The first two ODIs of the series will be held at Dambulla on March 25 and 28 respectively. The final ODI will be held in Colombo on April 1.

The two teams will then also play two T20 international respectively on April 4 and 6 in Colombo.

Squad: Mashrafe Mortaza (Capt), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shubhasis Roy, Sanjamul Islam, Shuvagata Hom and Nurul Hasan.