Shakib back in Bangladesh squad for last two T20Is

Shakib Al Hasan is back in Bangladesh's T20I side after almost a year. He has been named in the squad for the final two matches against Zimbabwe in Dhaka. Also returning are Soumya Sarkar and Mustafizur Rahman, as the home side look to continue their winning ways after taking a 3-0 lead in Chattogram. Those clearing a path for this threesome are Parvez Hossain Emon and Afif Hossain while quick bowler Shoriful Islam has been refreshed. Shoriful played the initial two T20Is while Parvez and Afif missed each of the three games. Shakib was Bangladesh's commander when he last played T20Is, his last appearance a Player-of-the-Match execution against Afghanistan in Sylhet in July 2023. He was building the group towards the current year's T20 World Cup, yet an eye condition and a finger injury confined his appearances after the ODI World Cup in October-November 2023. Najmul Hossain Shanto has supplanted him as skipper in all organizations this year. Mustafizur is back after a time of rest following his return from the IPL, where he was a strong entertainer with the ball for Chennai Super Lords. Soumya is getting back from the knee injury he supported during the third ODI against Sri Lanka on Walk 18. The last two T20Is could go some way towards assisting the selectors with finishing Bangladesh's T20 World Cup crew, which as per reports is to be declared on May 13, the day after the last T20I in Dhaka. Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Soumya Sarkar, Tanvir Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin.