Taskin Returns, Saifuddin Recalled After Mustafizur Injury

Bangladesh have made significant changes to their squad ahead of the third and final One-Day International against Zimbabwe after left-arm fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was ruled out through injury. Pace-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin has been recalled to the ODI squad as Mustafizur’s replacement, while Taskin Ahmed has reversed his earlier decision to miss the Twenty20 International series and will now join the national side.

Saifuddin’s inclusion marks his return to Bangladesh’s ODI set-up after almost five years. The 28-year-old last represented the national team in the format in July 2021 and has since spent a prolonged period working his way back into contention following injury setbacks and fluctuating involvement with the national squad. Although he has earned a recall, it remains uncertain whether he will be included in the playing XI for the decisive final ODI.

The opportunity has come after Mustafizur suffered a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the second ODI against Zimbabwe. The injury has now ruled him out of both the third ODI and the entire three-match T20I series. His absence is another setback for Bangladesh’s pace attack, with the experienced left-armer having been expected to play a leading role across both formats during the tour.

In an official statement, the Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed that Saifuddin had been drafted into the ODI squad for the final match of the series. The board also announced that Mustafizur will return to Bangladesh to undergo rehabilitation and receive further medical treatment as he recovers from the hamstring problem.

Taskin Ahmed’s return to the national squad is equally significant. The fast bowler had initially opted out of the T20I series against Zimbabwe after planning to participate in the Lanka Premier League. However, he has now withdrawn from that arrangement and made himself available for national duty, prioritising Bangladesh’s international commitments over his franchise plans. His decision provides the selectors with an experienced pace option at a time when the bowling unit has been weakened by injuries.

Saifuddin has remained on the fringes of Bangladesh’s T20 plans in recent months, moving in and out of selection discussions. His latest recall therefore represents an important opportunity to re-establish himself in the national set-up, particularly with major international assignments on the horizon.

Bangladesh, however, have decided not to name a replacement for another injured player, Litton Das. The selectors will instead continue with the available members of the squad for the remainder of the tour.

The final ODI will be played in Harare on 11 July. Bangladesh have already conceded the three-match series after losing the opening two encounters, leaving the final fixture as an opportunity to restore confidence and avoid a clean sweep.

Attention will then turn to the three-match T20I series, scheduled to be played in Bulawayo on 15, 17 and 19 July. With Mustafizur unavailable and Taskin returning to the fold, Bangladesh will hope the revised squad can produce an improved performance and finish the Zimbabwe tour on a more positive note.