Shakib Chooses Not to Participate in SL Series

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The squads for the first two ODIs and three T20Is have been named, while the squads for the third one-dayer and the two-match Test series will be announced later.

BCB cricket operations chairman Jalal Younus stated to The Daily Star that Shakib requested to be rested from Sri Lanka’s tour of Bangladesh to focus on domestic cricket. Despite facing eyesight issues, Shakib performed well in a recent BPL match, scoring a quick 69 runs.

Experienced batter Mahmudullah Riyad, who missed the ODI series against New Zealand due to a shoulder injury, returns to the T20 side. Spinner Aliss Al Islam, with a notable performance in the BPL, earned his first call-up to the T20I side.

Openers Naim Sheikh and Anamul Haque Bijoy also make a comeback to the T20I side based on their good form in the BPL. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam and pacer Taskin Ahmed, recovering from a shoulder injury, return to both T20I and ODI squads.

Six changes were made in the T20I side, with Hasan Mahmud and Afif Hossain dropped. Rony Talukdar, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Tanvir Islam, Shamim Hossain, and Rakibul Hasan are also left out from the squads.

The Sri Lanka series starts with T20Is on March 4 and 6 in Sylhet, followed by the last match in Chattogram on March 9. Three ODIs will be held in Chattogram on March 13, 15, and 18. The first Test is scheduled in Sylhet on March 22, and the tour concludes with the second Test in Chattogram starting on March 30.