Bangladesh recall Mosaddek after four years for ODIs against Australia

Bangladesh’s selectors have recalled middle-order batter Mosaddek Hossain into the ODI squad for the series against Australia starting next week. Mosaddek, 30, is one of two changes from the ODI squad that last played against New Zealand in April. Nurul Hasan was the other player returning, while Mahidul Islam and Afif Hossain have been left out. The squad is for the first two games.

Mosaddek, who played the last of his 43 ODIs in August 2022, is in the middle of a superb Dhaka Premier League (DPL) campaign. He has already scored a century and two fifties, averaging 89 in five matches. He has also taken 11 wickets at 16.27 with his off-spin. Mosaddek has been consistent at the DPL in the last three seasons.

Mosaddek could return to his middle-order role, as he is one of the few consistent run-scorers in the domestic competitions. Nurul, who missed out on the New Zealand series, also returns to bolster the middle-order as Mahidul and Afif didn’t give Bangladesh the runs they required in the middle overs.

“We couldn’t provide Afif and Mahidul with lot of opportunities. Replacing them is a tactical change,” chief selector Habibul Bashar said. “Mosaddek could bat at No. 6. He is in good form. He has more skills to offer. He is in good form in the DPL. He also has all-round ability. He bowls quite well. He could offer a balance for us in the middle-order.

“Nurul Hasan is replacing Mahidul because the latter is a top-order batter. Nurul bats around No. 6 or 7 as a wicketkeeper-batter. We believe Nurul is more skillful in that position.”

Bangladesh’s batting hasn’t clicked regularly in the last two ODI series against Pakistan and New Zealand. Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto are the only ones among the runs, while Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy haven’t hit their marks in the ODI format. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz is also a shadow of his 2022-23 batting form, though he has been successful with his offspin.

The onus will once again rest on Bangladesh’s bowlers, particularly Nahid Rana, who has taken a five-wicket haul in ODIs and Tests since March. The pace attack includes Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam, while Rishad Hossain will look to put to use his familiarity with the Australian batters, having played the BBL last season.

Bangladesh and Australia play the ODIs in Mirpur on June 9, 11 and 14. This is Bangladesh’s first bilateral ODI series against Australia in 15 years. Bangladesh’s only ODI win against Australia came in a 2005 tri-series match in Cardiff.

Bangladesh squad for the first two ODIs against Australia

Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Mosaddek Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana

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