Bangladesh call up Soumya and Mahidul for West Indies ODIs

Bangladesh have added an extra batter to their ODI side for the three-match series against West Indies starting on Saturday. Batters Soumya Sarkar and Mahidul Islam Ankon have been included, replacing Mohammad Naim, also a top-order batter, and fast bowler Nahid Rana.

Naim and Rana played in the third ODI in the bilateral series against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, which Bangladesh lost by 200 runs to concede the series 3-0. Naim edged to slip after scratching around for 23 balls, while Rana didn't pick up a wicket, and also didn't complete his last over, raising fears of an injury.

Soumya spent a frustrating couple of weeks after missing the T20I series against Afghanistan since his UAE visa couldn't be processed in time, which prevented him from linking up with the squad. Soumya now returns to the ODI side after last playing in the format in February this year.

Wicketkeeper-batter Mahidul is uncapped in ODIs - his only international appearance was the Chattogram Test against South Africa last year. Mahidul has been in good form in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, the country's main List A competition, in the last two years. He averages 46.86 with the bat, with a century and ten fifties.

The national selectors have continued to keep faith in the likes of Najmul Hossain Shanto, Jaker Ali and Shamim Hossain, despite their poor recent form. They have also kept the same spin attack, led by captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain, and much of the fast bowlers from the Afghanistan series, headlined by Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed.

After the ODI series opener on Saturday, the second and third matches will be played on October 21 and 23.

Bangladesh ODI squad for series against West Indies

Mehidy Hassan Miraz (capt), Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mahidul Islam (wk), Jaker Ali (wk), Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wk), Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan, Hasan Mahmud