Mahidul Islam Ankon Secures ODI Spot for West Indies Series Debut
Mahidul Islam Ankon has received his first call-up for One Day Internationals (ODIs) as part of Bangladesh’s squad for the upcoming series against West Indies. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 16-member team for the three-match series set to take place at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Bangladesh’s ODI Series Against West Indies
The ODIs are scheduled for October 18, 21, and 23. The matches mark a significant opportunity for Mahidul, a middle-order batter. He joins a squad that underwent changes following a recent ODI series against Afghanistan.
Squad Changes and Key Players
- Mahidul Islam Ankon: Maiden ODI call-up
- Nahid Rana and Naim Sheikh: Excluded from the squad
- Soumya Sarkar: Returns after last playing in February’s Champions Trophy
- Litton Das: Unavailable due to a side strain injury sustained during the Asia Cup
The Bangladeshi team will be led by Mehidy Hassan Miraz, alongside several other key players, including Mohammed Saif Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Bangladesh’s Recent Performance
Bangladesh’s chief selector, Gazi Ashraf Hossain, expressed concern over the team’s performance in recent matches, particularly against Afghanistan. He acknowledged that the team’s batting weaknesses have been laid bare and emphasized the need for improvement.
Despite the recent setbacks, he remains hopeful. “Playing at home will give us a better chance to compete against the West Indies,” he stated.
Match Schedule
| Date | Fixture |
|---|---|
| 18 October | 1st ODI |
| 21 October | 2nd ODI |
| 23 October | 3rd ODI |
The upcoming series against West Indies presents an excellent opportunity for Bangladesh to regroup and showcase their capabilities in the ODI format. Fans are eagerly anticipating how Mahidul Islam Ankon will perform on his debut and the team’s response after a challenging period.
