Naim, Afif back in Bangladesh squad for Afghanistan ODIs

Mohammad Naim and Afif Hossain have been recalled to Bangladesh's squad for their three-match ODI series against Afghanistan next month. Taskin Ahmed also returned to the side after missing the Ireland ODIs in Chelmsford last month, but there was no room for Yasir Ali, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Rony Talukdar.

Taskin, who took four wickets in the second innings of the one-off Test against Afghanistan, has recovered from side strain. As for Naim, he returned to the ODI squad after a gap of two years. He has was the leading run-getter in the Dhaka Premier League, with 932 runs in 16 innings at an average of 71.69 and strike rate of 91.64. It is likely that the selectors as looking at Naim as a back-up opening option for Rony for the World Cup in India later this year.

Afif, who was dropped during the home ODI series against Ireland, returned after some impressive showings in the DPL that ended last month. He had also led the Bangladesh A side in two of the three unofficial Tests against West Indies A recently before missing the last game, citing fatigue.

Yasir is among three players who have been left out from the ODI squad that played last month. Yasir didn't get a game in Chelmsford, but played two matches against Ireland in Sylhet in March. Mrittunjoy, who made his ODI debut in Chelmsford, made way for Taskin.

Afghanistan will leave Dhaka after the one-off Test that ended on Saturday. They will return to Bangladesh on July 1 to play the three ODIs on July 5, 8 and 11 in Chattogram, and two T20Is on July 12 and 14, in Sylhet.

Squad: Tamim Iqbal (capt), Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Naim

In: Mohammad Naim, Afif Hossain, Taskin Ahmed

Out: Yasir Ali, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Rony Talukdar

Source: ESPNcricinfo