Saif earns maiden ODI call-up

In-form batter Saif Hassan earned a maiden call-up to the ODI side, as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 16-member squad for the Tigers' upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan on Friday.  

The side, however, features just two changes from the Tigers' last ODI series away to Sri Lanka in July this year. Litton Das, who is still recovering from a side strain that kept him out of the Tigers' final two Asia Cup games last month, and opener Parvez Hossain Emon miss out. 

Saif has been the Tigers' standout performer in the recently concluded Asia Cup, rewarded for his 178 runs in four games at an average of 44.50. 

Five players -- ODI skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Hasan Mahmud, Tanvir Islam, and Nahid Rana -- will be traveling to the UAE tonight to join the rest of the squad, who are currently involved in a three-match T20I series against the Afghans. 

BCB, in a press release, informed that Naim Sheikh will depart after getting visa clearance. 

The ODIs will take place at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on October 8, 11, and 14.

Bangladesh ODI Squad: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Md Naim Sheikh, Mohammed Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana