Bangladesh call up mystery spinner Aliss Al Islam for ODI tri-series in UAE

Bangladesh have included uncapped mystery spinner Aliss Al Islam in their 16-member ODI squad for the upcoming tri-nation tournament involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, scheduled to start in Abu Dhabi on October 17.

Aliss was the only surprise in a squad that saw the return of Litton Das, Mustafizur Rahman and Hasan Mahmud to the 50-over format. The offspinner has taken 35 wickets in 19 List A matches at an average of 17.05 and an economy rate of 4.05, including one five-wicket haul. Aliss made his T20I debut against Sri Lanka at the Asian Games.

Selector explains the call

Chief selector Habibul Bashar said the squad needed a wicket-taker in the middle overs, pointing to Aliss's recent form on the Bangladesh A tour of South Africa.

"As far as Aliss is concerned we need someone who can pick wickets in the middle overs and he did well during his tour with Bangladesh A in South Africa," Bashar told Cricbuzz on Saturday (October 10).

Injury rules out Nahid Rana

Pacer Nahid Rana was not considered for the tri-nation due to an injury that has also ruled him out of the ongoing one-match Test series between Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Parvez Hossain and Mohammad Saifuddin, who were part of the ODI squad that played against Zimbabwe, were excluded.

"Rana is not considered for the tri-nation due to his injury as he is going through rehabilitation," Bashar said.

Full squad

Litton Das (Captain), Towhid Hridoy (Vice Captain), Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Musaddek Hossain Saikat, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Aliss Al Islam.

Fixtures

• 17 October – Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi
• 19 October – Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi
• 21 October – Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, Sharjah
• 23 October – FINAL, Sharjah