Mushfiqur, Liton return for T20I series against New Zealand

Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das will feature in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, starting September 1, as the Bangladesh Cricket Board announced a 19-man squad on Thursday (August 19). Aminul Islam, who had opted out of the Australia series, too makes his return.

Mushfiqur didn't travel to Zimbabwe to be by the side of his ailing parents. As a result, he also didn't play in the Australia series due to a 10-day quarantine rule. Meanwhile, Liton missed the first few games of the Zimbabwe series due to a thigh injury and decided to travel back home to attend to a sick family member. 

The leg-spinning all-rounder Aminul didn't feature in the Australia series after he lost his father during the tour of Zimbabwe.

Squad: Mahmudullah (capt), Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Soumya Sarkar, Litton Kumer Das, Musaddek Hossain Saikat, Afif Hossain, Naim Sheikh, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shamim Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shaif Uddin, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Aminul Islam Biplob, Nasum Ahmed.

"Naturally when you get back two of your best batsmen it is quite relieving and I am sure they will make the most of it considering it's their last competitive cricket ahead of World Cup," Bangladesh chief selector Minhajul Abedin told Cricbuzz.

"We have included Aminul as he gives us some variety and we are looking to see how he can fit in the playing XI."

Mohammad Mithun has been dropped from the squad. Tamim Iqbal is yet to recover from his knee injury. Meanwhile, seamers Kamrul Islam and Shohidul Islam have been picked as net bowlers.

Bangladesh defeated Zimbabwe 2-1 in a T20I series and then recently smashed Australia 4-1 at home.