Ripon and Saqlain added to Bangladesh T20I squad for New Zealand series

Bangladesh includes Ripon Mondol and Saqlain for the first two T20Is against New Zealand in April

Squad changes explained Ripon and Saqlain are the only new names included in Bangladesh's T20I squad since the December series against Ireland. Jaker Ali and Mahidul Islam have been left out this time. Taskin and Rana were not part of the last T20I squad but have remained key figures in the ODI team over recent months. ## Bowling additions and roles Ripon has established himself as a specialist in the death overs after taking eight wickets in the BCL one-day tournament in March. He also featured in three T20Is during the 2023 Asian Games. Saqlain, aged 28, offers the ability to bowl at hard lengths with variations and brings strong hitting to the lineup. ## Selector's reasoning Chief selector Habibul Bashar explained that Ripon has been performing consistently and can contribute with both the new ball and in death overs. He added that Saqlain provides a bowling allrounder option and has impressed recently. Bashar also mentioned that including Ripon and Saqlain allows rest for Nahid Rana ahead of the upcoming Test series against Pakistan. ## Series schedule details The first two T20Is against New Zealand will be played in Chattogram on April 27 and 29. The final T20I is scheduled for May 2 in Dhaka. ## Final squad list Bangladesh's T20I squad includes Litton Das as captain and wicketkeeper, alongside Saif Hassan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Shamim Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Nurul Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Ripon Mondol, Mohammad Saifuddin, and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain.